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GONTmENTAL  CONGRESS 


AT  YORK,.i'EKN'A. 


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Continental  Congress 

at  York,  Pennsylvania 

and 

t 

York  County  in  the 
Revolution 

By  GEORGE  R.  PROWELL 

Author  of  the  History  of  York  County,  Pennsylvania,  Curator 

and  Librarian  of  the  Historical  Society  of  York  County, 

Member  of  tlie  National  Geographic  Society, 

American  Historical  Association  and  the 

Pennsylvania  History  Club 


ILLUSTRATED 


YORK.   PA. 

THE  YORK  PRINTING  CO. 

19H 


eifi 

Author 
MAf  22  ;iM 


/^'  /^/^'7   'tCk^fS<^J 


PREFACE 

THE  following  pages  furnish  a  careful  record  of  the  transactions  of  Conti- 
nental Congress,  while  it  held  its  sessions  in  York  from  September  30,  1777 
to  June  27,  1778.  Shortly  before  the  Battle  of  Brandywine  Congress  ad- 
journed from  Independence  Hall  to  meet  at  Lancaster,  but  held  only  one  day's 
session  in  that  city.  Meantime,  the  British  had  taken  possession  of  Philadeljihia 
and  Congress  removed  to  York. 

While  in  session  here  for  a  period  of  nine  months,  Continental  Congress,  with 
representatives  from  the  thirteen  original  states  passed  the  Articles  of  Confedera- 
tion, received  the  news  of  the  surrender  of  Burgoyne  at  Saratoga,  issued  the  first 
Thanksgiving  Proclamation,  commissioned  Baron  Steuben  a  major  general  in  the 
American  army,  and  also  received  a  comnjunication  from  Benjamin  Franklin,  our 
commissioner  at  Paris,  that  the  French  government  had  entered  into  a  treatv  to 
assist  the  infant  Republic  of  the  United  States,  by  sending  not  only  money,  but  a 
fleet  and  an  army  to  aid  the  Americans  in  their  struggle  for  liberty.  These  im- 
portant facts  of  general  history  are  told  in  a  connected  narrative  in  this  volume. 

In  addition  the  work  contains  an  exhaustive  account  of  the  part  taken  bv 
York  County  in  the  war  for  Independence.  Attention  is  called  to  the  article  on 
the  Flying  Camp,  which  contained  three  regiments  of  troops  west  of  the  Susque- 
hanna, who  performed  valiant  services  at  the  battle  of  Fort  Washington.  No 
other  city  of  the  Union,  except  Philadelphia,  New  York  and  Boston  has  more  in- 
teresting associations  relating  to  the  Revolution  than  York,  Pennsylvania,  and  it 
is  the  object  of  these  pages  to  bring  out  this  fact  clearly  to  the  student  of 
American  History. 

(^    R   P 

York,  Pa.,  April  1.  1^)14. 


THE    REVOLUTIOX 


157 


YORK  COUNTY  IN  THE  REVOLUTION. 


CHAPTER  XH 
THE  REVOLUTION 

First  York  County  Troops — Thompson's 
Battalion — Expedition  to  Canada — Sixth 
Pennsylvania  Battalion — Battle  of  Three 
Rivers  —  McClean's  Company  —  Grier's 
Company — Miles'  Regiment — Albright's 
Comipany — First  Pennsylvania  Regiment 
— Battle  of  Long  Island. 

In  1774  the  difficulties  between  the  King 
of  England  and  the  thirteen  colonies  were 
not  adjusted  by  the  appeals  made  to  the 
King  and  Parliament.  As  the  result  of  this 
condition  the  first  Continental  Congress 
with  representatives  from  the  diflerent 
colonies,  met  in  Philadelphia  in  September 
of  that  year.  This  Congress  sent  a  decla- 
ration of  Rights  to  tlie  King,  but  it  was  un- 
answered. Soon  afterward  IMassachusetts 
assembled  a  Provincial  Congress  and  began 
to  form  troops  and  collect  military  stores  to 
oppose  by  armed  resistance  what  was 
termed  the  tyranny  of  the  English  govern- 
ment. Gen.  Thomas  Gage,  who  had 
fought  under  Braddock  in  the  French  and 
Indian  war,  was  in  charge  of  the  British 
troops  at  Boston. 

On    the    evening   of   April    18, 
Concord        1775.     Gage     dispatched     800 
and  regulars    to    Concord,   a    few 

Lexington,  miles  northwest  of  Boston,  to 
capture  the  army  stores  there. 
On  their  way  they  found  a  party  of  armed 
yeomanry  on  Lexington  Common.  A 
British  officer  ordered  them  to  disperse  and 
as  they  remained  motionless  his  soldiers 
fired,  killing  seven  men,  and  then  proceede-<l 
to  Concord.  By  the  time  they  reached 
Concord  most  of  tlie  stores  had  been  re- 
moved. In  a  sharp  skirnu'sh,  the  British 
regulars  were  defeated,  and  as  they  marched 
back  toward  Boston,  Inmdreds  of  farmers 
advanced  upon  them,  firing  from  l^ehind 
walls  and  trees  after    the    Indian    fasliion. 


The  British  lost  nearly  300  men,  and  though 
reinforced,  narrowdy  escaped  capture.  This 
was  the  beginning  of  the  Revolutionary 
war. 

On  the  loth  of  Alay,  1775,  the  second 
Continental  Congress  assembled  in  Phila- 
delphia and  on  the  same  day  Ticonderoga 
and  Crown  Point,  on  Lake  Champlain.  were 
captured  by  patriots  from  the  Green 
Mountains  and  Connecticut  Valley,  under 
Ethan  Allen  and  Seth  Warner. 

The  tocsin  of  war  had  now  been  sounded 
and  American  troops  began  to  assemble  in 
the  vicinity  of  Boston.  These  men  had 
come  from  farms  and  workshops  and,  al- 
though untrained  as  soldiers,  were  eager 
for  armed  conflict  with  the  British  foe. 
Meantime  reinforcements  had  arrived  from 
England.  General  Gage  was  succeeded  by 
Sir  William  Howe,  who  now  commanded 
10,000  men,  and  on  June  17  the  famous  bat- 
tle of  Bunker  Hill  was  fought.  Although 
the  Americans  were  defeated,  tlie  moral 
efifect  of  the  battle  was  in  their  favor. 

At  this  time  the  American  forces  around 
Boston  were  composed  of  undisciplined 
troops.  The  news  of  the  conflict  at  Lexing- 
ton and  Concord  soon  spread  from  Massa- 
chusetts to  Georgia.  It  aroused  a  spirit  of 
patriotism  that  prevailed  throughout  the 
country  during  the  entire  period  of  the  war. 
Continental  Congress  had  taken  charge  of 
the  assembling  of  troops  in  Massachusetts 
to  oppose  the  British  forces  of  Sir  William 
Howe,  and  now^  supported  active  measures 
for  a  war  against  the  mother  country.  On 
June  14  this  body  of  patriots  adopted  a 
resolution  that  eight  companies  of  trained 
riflemen  from  Pennsylvania,  two  from 
I^laryland  and  two  from  Virginia  be  raised, 
and  as  soon  as  organized  should  be  marched 
to  the  army  under  \\'ashington  at  Cam- 
bridge. 

A  military  spirit  had  existed  in  Pennsyl- 
vania and  the  adjoining  colonies  since  the 
French  and  Indian  war.  Companies  had 
been  organized  in  nearly  all  the  centres  of 


i=;8 


HISTORY   UK    YORK   COUNTY,    PEXXSYLV-VXIA 


population.  The  men  who  composed  these 
companies  were  trained  liunters  and  skilled 
marksmen  so  that  when  tlieir  patriotism 
was  aroused,  these  sturdy  pioneers  were 
quick  to  respond  to  the  resolution  of 
Congress  and  the  appeals  of  their  fellow- 
countrymen  in  New  England. 

When  the  news  of  Lexington  and  Con- 
cord reached  the  county  seat  at  York  it  was 
soon  transmitted  to  every  section  of  York 
County.  A  similar  spirit  pervaded  the 
neighboring  counties  of  Pennsylvania.  One 
of  the  eight  Pennsylvania  companies  was  to 
be  recruited  in  York  County.  Each  com- 
pany was  officered  with  a  captain,  three  lieu- 
tenants, four  sergeants,  four  corporals,  a 
drummer  and  sixty-eight  privates.  The 
captain  was  to  receive  twenty  dollars  per 
month ;  a  lieutenant,  thirteen  and  one-third 
dollars;  a  sergeant,  eight  dollars;  a  cor- 
poral, seven  and  one-third;  a  drummer  the 
same;  privates,  six  and  two-thirds.  All 
were  to  find  their  own  arms  and  clothes. 

FIRST  YORK  COUNTY  TROOPS. 

The  sturdy  yeomanry  of  this  section  of 
Pennsylvania  \vere  ready  for  the  emergency. 
Local  militia  companies  had  been  organized. 
At  this  period  there  were  three  armed 
companies  in  the  town  of  Y'ork.  From  the 
militia  of  the  county  it  was  decided  to  select 
the  reciuisite  number  of  officers  and  sixty- 
eight  riflemen  to  form  a  company.  Recruit- 
ing began  at  Marsh  Creek,  at  Gettys'  tavern, 
now  the  site  of  Gettysburg.  Some  men 
came  from  the  ]\Ionaghan  settlement,  where 
Dillsburg  now  stands,  and  still  another 
scjuad  was  recruited  in  the  southern  part  of 
the  county.  These  men,  ready  to  enlist  in 
the  cause  of  American  Independence,  came 
to  York,  where  the  company  was  organized 
with  Michael  Doudel  as  captain ;  Henry 
Miller,  first  lieutenant ;  John  Dill,  second 
lieutenant;  James  Matson,  third  lieutenant. 

On  receipt  of  the  instructions  of  Con- 
gress the  York  County  committee,  which 
was  made  up  of  such  sturdy  patriots  as 
James  Smith,  Thomas  Hartley,  George 
Irwin,  John  Kean,  Joseph  Donaldson  and 
Michael  Hahn,  immediately  assembled  and 
tbok  steps  to  prepare  the  company  for  the 
front.  Everything  was  done  with  the 
greatest  expedition.  So  many  men  wanted 
to  enlist  that  there  were  more  than  the 
of^cers  were  authorized  to  accept. 


"  I'll  take  only  the  men  that  can  hit  that 
nose  at  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards,"  said 
young  Lieutenant  ]\Iiller,  as  he  chalked  a 
small  nose  on  a  barn  door. 

Horatio  Gates,  recently  appointed  adju- 
tant-general of  the  army  and  who  iiad 
chanced  to  arrive  in  York  from  his  home  in 
Virginia  on  his  way  to  headquarters,  de- 
cided it  would  be  unwise  to  refuse  the  en- 
listment of  such  courageous  men.  "  They 
will  make  soldiers,"  he  said. 

The  committee  appointed  to  pro\ide  the 
necessaries  for  the  company  did  their  work 
so  well  that  in  a  few  days  a  company  of  lOO 
men  was  completely  armed  and  equipped 
for  the  field  without  a  farthing  being  ad- 
vanced from  the  Continental  treasury. 

"  The  spirit  of  the  people  on  this  oc- 
casion," wrote  the  local  committee  of  cor- 
respondence to  Congress,  "  gave  the  com- 
mittee encouragement.  Tlie  men  seemed 
actuated  Avith  the  greatest  zeal  and  thought 
tliemselves  honored  in  having  their  names 
enrolled  among  the  sons  of  liberty  who  are 
to  fight  for  their  country  and  in  defense  of 
their  dearest  rights  and  privileges.  The 
only  uneasiness  they  feel  is  that  they  are  not 
this  moment  at  the  scene  of  action.  From 
the  spirit  of  the  soldiers  we  entertain  the 
most  flattering  hopes  that  they  will  prove 
servicable  to  the  cause  of  liberty  and  reflect 
honor  on  this  county.  The  principal  people 
here  have  caught  the  spirit  of  the  honorable 
Congress  and  in  their  small  circle  have  done 
everything  in  their  power  to  animate  their 
neighbors  to  stand  forth  in  this  day  of 
despotism  and  resist  the  arbitrary  and  im- 
just  measures  of  Parliament  with  all  the 
power  which  heaven  has  given  them.  And 
we  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that 
their  labors  have  not  been  in  vain  and  that 
the  county  is  ready  to  strain  every  nerve  to 
put  into  execution  any  measures  which  the 
Congress  may  judge  necessary  to  oiu"  com- 
mon defense.  The  officers  are  men  of 
whose  courage  we  have  the  highest  opinion. 
The  captain  has  behaved  very  well  on  this 
occasion  and  has  done  all  in  his  power  by 
advancing  money,  etc.,  to  forward  the  com- 
mon cause." 

It  would  be  interesting  to  record  the  en- 
tire muster  roll  of  this  band  of  patriots. 
The  official  records  being  defective,  all 
that  can  be  here  given  are  the  fol- 
lowing: 


THE    REVOLUTIOX 


159 


Captain, 

MICHAEL  DOUDEL. 

Fit'st  Lieuienant. 

HEXRY  MILLER. 

Second  Lieutenant, 

JOHN  DILL. 

Third  Lieutenant. 

JAMES  MATSOX. 

Corporal, 
WALTER   CRUISE. 


Armor,  Robert 
Armstrong,  George 
Beverly,  John 
Bettinger,    Christian 
Brown,  John 
Campbell,  Thomas 
Clark,   John 
Cline,  William 
Cooper,  William 
Dougherty,  George 
Douther,  John 
Evans,  Abel 
Ferguson,   John 
Graft,   Robert 
Griffith,  John 
Halbut,  Joseph 
Kennedy,   Richard 
Kennedv.   Thomas 


Privates, 

Lelap,  Daniel 
Lewis,   Abram 
McAlister,  John 
McCrary,   John 
McCurt,  John 
Minshall,   Joshua 
Mill,  James 
Moore,   Edward 
Ramsey,  David 
Russell,   William 
Shields,  Matthew 
Staley.   Jacob 
Start,  Andrew 
Sullivan,   Patrick 
Sweeney,  Isaac 
Tanner,   Tobias 
Taylor,  John 
Turner,   Cornelius 


The  form  of  enlistment  to  which  every 
one  of  these  volunteer  soldiers  appended  his 
signature  before  leaving  York  reads :  "  I 
have  this  day  voluntarily  enlisted  myself  as 
a  soldier  in  the  American  Continental  army 
for  one  year,  unless  sooner  discharged,  and 
do  bind  myself  to  conform  in  all  instances 
to  such  rules  and  regulations  as  are.  or  shall 
be,  established  for  the  government  of  said 
army." 

According    to   the    diary   of    Rev. 
Leave      John  Roth,  pastor    of    the    Mora- 

for  vian     Church     at     York,   Captain 

Boston.  Doudel  and  his  company  attended 
religious  services  at  Zion  Re- 
formed Church  on  the  morning  of  July  ist. 
They  listened  to  a  patriotic  sermon  de- 
livered by  Rev.  Daniel  \\'agner,  the  pastor, 
who  enjoined  them  "  to  keep  God  before 
their  eyes  continually  and  then  they  would 
be  assured  of  his  guidance  and  protection." 
At  I  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  this  band  of 
one  hundred  American  patriots  started  out 
East  Market  Street  on  the  long  march  to 
join  the  army  under  Washington  at  Cam- 
bridge. 

In  answer  to  the  resolution  of  Congress 
for  eight  companies  from  Pennsylvania,  the 
recruiting  of  men  took  place  in  the  other 
counties  of  the  Province.  One  company 
was  raised  in  Xorthampton  County,  com- 
manded by  Captain  Abraham  Miller;  one  in 


Berks  County,  Captain  George  Xagel;  one 
in  Bedford  County,  Captain  Robert  Clug- 
gage ;  one  in  Northumberland,  Captain 
John  Lowdon ;  two  in  Cumberland,  which 
then  included  Franklin,  commanded  by 
Captain  James  Ross  and  Captain  Matthew- 
Smith.  In  all,  there  were  nine  companies 
from  Pennsylvania,  one  more  than  re- 
quested by  Congress.  By  order  of  Conti- 
nental Congress  and  the  Pennsylvania  As- 
sembly, they  were  organized  into  what  was 
termed  b}'  General  Washington  in  organi- 
zing the  army,  "  Colonel  Thompson"'s  Bat- 
talion of  Riflemen  from  Pennsylvania." 

THOMPSON'S  BATTALION. 

Col.  William  Thompson,  who  was  as- 
signed to  the  command  of  this  battalion, 
was  a  native  of  Ireland,  born  in  1725.  He 
settled  in  Cumberland  Coimty  early  in  life 
and  during  the  French  and  Indian  war  had 
commanded  a  company  of  mounted 
frontiersmen.  When  the  Revolution  opened 
he  was  a  surveyor  residing  at  Carlisle.  The 
following  is  the  field  and  staff  of  this  bat- 
talion when  organized  on  its  arrival  at 
Washington's  headquarters : 

Colonel — William  Thompson. 

Lieutenant-Colonel — Edward  Hand. 

Major — Robert  McGaw. 

Chaplain — Rev.  Samuel  Blair. 

Adjutant — David  Ziegler. 

Quartermaster — Frederick  Hubley. 

Surgeon — William  McGaw. 

Surgeon's  Mate — Christian  Reinecke. 

Pay  Master — David  Harris. 

Commissary — John  Biddle. 

^^'agon  Master — Adam  Egle. 

The  officers  of  this  famous  battalion  of 
riflemen  were  the  first  after  General  Wash- 
ington to  recei\-e  commissions  from  Con- 
gress, and  these  patriots  from  Pennsylvania 
were  the  first  troops  west  of  the  Hudson 
and  south  of  Long  Island  to  join  the 
American  army  under  the  commander-in- 
chief  at  Cambridge,  Massachusetts.  The 
York  riflemen,  after  crossing  the  Susque- 
hanna, passed  through  Reading  and  Bethle- 
hem, reaching  New  York  before  any  other 
Pennsylvania  company,  and  proceeded  to 
Boston,  arriving  there  July  25.  At  this  time 
there  were  10,000  British  regulars  in  Boston 
under  Sir  William  Howe,  and  others  were 
on  the  war  from  England. 


i6o 


HISTORY   OF  YORK  COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


Continental  Congress  was 
Washington  now  in  session  behind  closed 
Takes  .  doors  in  Carpenter's  Hall, 
Command.  Philadelphia.  On  June  15 
Thomas  Johnson,  a  delegate 
from  Frederick,  ^Maryland,  and  afterward 
the  first  governor  of  Maryland,  nominated 
George  \\'ashington  for  commander-in- 
chief  of  the  American  army.  John  Adams, 
in  an  eloquent  speech,  seconded  the  motion, 
and  Washington,  who  was  then  a  member 
of  Congress  from  Virginia,  was  unani- 
mously chosen.  He  started  for  Boston  on 
horseback  June  21,  and,  while  passing- 
through  New  York  city,  June  25,  received 
the  news  of  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  He 
arrived  at  Cambridge  July  2.  The  next  day 
he  took  formal  command,  drawing  his 
sword  under  an  elm  tree  which  a  few  years 
ago  was  appropriatel}'  marked.  At  this 
time  there  were  14,500  New  England  troops 
equipped  for  duty  around  Boston,  but  ac- 
cording to  an  official  statement  they  had 
onl}^  nine  rounds  of  ammunition  to  a  man. 
Washington  at  once  organized  these  raw 
troops  into  divisions  for  drill  and  discipline, 
and  began  to  lay  siege  to  the  city  of  Boston. 
The  arrival  of  the  troops  from  Pennsyl- 
vania was  enthusiastically  received  by  the 
patriots  of  New  England.  The  evidences  of 
the  courage  and  fortitude  of  the  riflemen 
from  York  and  their  willingness  to  join  in 
the  struggle  for  American  liberty  is  shown 
by  the  following  extracts  from  Moore's 
Diary  of  the  Revolution  : 

York  July    25,    1775. — Capt.    Doudel,    with    his 

ip  company   of   riflemen    from    York,    Penn- 

roopb  sylvania,  arrived  at  Cambridge  about  one 

in  o'clock   today,   and   since   has   made   pro- 

Action  posals  to   General   Washington   to  attack 

the  transport  stationed  on  Charles  river. 
He  will  engage  to  take  the  transport  with  thirty  men. 
The  General  thinks  it  best  to  decline  at  present;  but  at 
the  same  time  commends  the  spirit  of  Captain  Doudel 
and  his  brave  men  who,  though  just  arrived  after  a  very 
long  march,  offer  to  execute  the  plan  immediately. 

July  30,  1775. — Last  Friday  the  regulars  cut  several 
trees  and  were  busy  all  night  in  throwing  up  a  line  of 
abatis  in  Charlestown  Xeck.  In  the  evening  orders 
were  given  to  the  York  county  riflemen  to  march  down 
to  our  advanced  post  in  Charlestown  Neck,  to  endeavor 
to  surround  the  advanced  guard  and  bring  ofif  some 
prisoners,  from  whom  we  e.xpected  to  learn  their  design 
in  throwing  up  their  abatis  in  the  Neck.  The  rifle  com- 
pany divided  and  executed  their  plan  in  the  following 
manner:  Captain  Doudel  with  thirty-nine  men  filed  off 
to  the  right  of  Bunker  Hill,  and,  creeping  on  their 
hands  and  knees,  got  into  the  rear  without  being  dis- 
covered. The  other  band  of  forty  men,  under  Lieu- 
tenant Miller,  were  successful  in  getting  behind  the 
sentinels  on  the  left,  and  were  within  a  few  yards  of 


joining  the  division  on  the  right,  when  a  party  of  reg- 
ulars came  down  the  hill  to  relieve  their  guard,  and 
cro.ssed  our«riflemen  under  Captain  Doudel  as  they  were 
lying  on  the  ground  in  Indian  file.  The  regulars  were 
within  twenty  yards  of  our  men  before  they  saw  them 
and  immediately  lired.  The  riflemen  returned  the  salute, 
killed  several  and  brought  off  two  prisoners  and  their 
arms,  with  the  loss  of  Corporal  Cruise,  who  is  supposed 
to  have  been  killed  as  he  has  not  been  heard  of  since 
the  affair. 

August  9,  1775. — The  riflemen  from  York  county  have 
annoyed  the  regulars  vcrj*  much.  By  a  gentleman  who 
left  Boston  yesterday,  we  hear  that  Captains  Percival 
and  Sabine  of  the  Marines,  Captain  Johnston  of  the 
Royal  Irish,  and  Captain  LeAIoine  of  the  train,  were 
killed  Monday.  Captain  Clietwyn,  son  of  Lord  Chet- 
wyn,  is  mortally  wounded.  The  number  of  privates 
killed  this  week  we  have  not  heard.  The  regulars  have 
thrown  up  a  breastwork  across  the  neck  at  the  foot  of 
Bunker  Hill  to  protect  their  sentries  and  advance 
guards. 

Frothingham,  in  describing  Thompson's 
battalion  and  other  riflemen  from  the  south 
in  his  "  Siege  of  Boston,"  saj's : 

"  The  riflemen  from  Pennsylvania  at- 
tracted much  attention.  They  had  enlisted 
with  great  promptness  and  had  marched 
from  four  to  seven  hundred  miles.  In  a 
short  time  large  bodies  of  them  arrived  in 
camp.  They  were  remarkably  stout,  hardy 
men,  dressed  in  white  frocks,  or  rifle  shirts, 
and  round  hats,  and  were  skillful  marksmen. 
At  a  review,  a  company  of  them,  while  on 
a  quick  advance,  fired  balls  into  circular 
targets  seven  inches  in  diameter  at  a 
distance  of  250  yards.  They  were  statioiied 
on  the  lines  and  became  terrible  to  the 
British.  The  account  of  their  prowess  was 
circulated  over  England." 

Corporal  Walter  Cruise,  mentioned 
A  in  the  above  extract  from  Moore's 
Local  Diary,  was  a  member  of  Captain 
Hero.  Doudel's  company  from  York.  He 
was  taken  a  prisoner  to  the  British 
camp.  So  many  of  the  officers  and  privates 
of  the  royal  army  had  fallen  under  the  un- 
erring aim  of  the  Pennsylvania,  Maryland 
and  Virginia  riflemen  that  Cruise,  being 
one  of  the  first  of  them  to  be  captured,  be- 
came the  object  of  their  resentment.  The 
British  finally  sent  him  to  England  to  be 
tried  on  certain  charges,  where  a  curiosity 
had  been  aroused  to  see,  in  his  frontier 
costuine,  one  of  the  riflemen  of  whom  they 
had  heard  such  wonderful  stories.  After  a 
term  of  imprisonment  he  was  taken  before 
the  mayor  of  London,  but  that  magistrate, 
finding  no  crime  charged  against  him,  of 
which  he  could    take    cognizance,  released 


THE    REVOLUTION 


i6i 


him  from  custody.  Artliur  I-ee,  of  Virginia, 
the  secret  agent  in  London  for  the  Ameri- 
can colonies,  upon  hearing  of  Cruise's  re- 
lease, sent  for  him  and  after  congratulating 
him  upon  regaining  his  freedom,  delivered 
Cruise  a  package  of  papers. 

"  These  papers  are  of  the  greatest  mo- 
ment to  the  liberty  of  our  country.  Can  I 
trust  you  to  deliver  them  safely  into  the 
hands  of  General  Washington  and  the 
Continental  Congress?" 

"  You  can  trust  me,"  was  the  reply. 

"  Then  I  will  secure  a  passage  for  you  to 
Halifax,  the  nearest  and  safest  route  to 
America.  For  the  cause  of  American 
liberty  you  will  guard  these  papers  well, 
and  when  you  arrive  in  America,  deliver 
them  as  soon  as  possible  to  General  Wash- 
ington and  the  Continental  Congress.  I 
can  promise  you  that  your  country  will  not 
forget  your  services." 

Wishing  him  success  on  his  mission, 
Arthur  Lee  bade  him  farewell,  and  Cruise 
was  soon  aboard  a  vessel  bound  for 
America.  On  his  arrival  at  Halifax,  the 
heroic  corporal  hastened  with  his  valuable 
despatches  to  Xew  York,  the  headquarters 
of  the  American  army,  where  he  delivered 
them  safely  into  the  hands  of  General 
Washington,  who  immediately  transmitted 
copies  to  Continental  Congress  at  Philadel- 
phia, where  the  news  was  eagerly  received. 
An  impression  had  been  prevalent  among 
the  American  people  that  peace  commis- 
sioners would  be  sent  to  adjust  the  differ- 
ences between  England  and  the  colonies, 
but  instead,  the  despatches  brought  by 
Corporal  Cruise  informed  them  that  the 
King  intended  to  send  more  English  troops 
and  to  hire  German  soldiers  for  the  war  in 
America. 

Nothing  enraged  the  .\meri- 
Declaration     cans  more  than    the    arrival 
of  of  this  news  nor  urged  them 

Independence,  more  to  declare  indepen- 
dence, than  this  hiring  of 
foreign  mercenaries  by  the  British  govern- 
ment. At  length,  in  June,  a  motion  was 
made  in  Congress  liy  Richard  Henry  Lee. 
a  delegate  from  Virginia.  "  that  these 
United  Colonies  are.  and  of  right  ought  to 
be,  free  and  independent  states."  This 
motion  was  carried  on  July  2  and  the 
Declaration  of  Independence  draughted  by 
Thomas  Jefferson  and  re\ised    by    a    com- 


mittee, of  which  he  was  a  member,  was 
adopted  July  4  at  Independence  Hall.  Phila- 
delphia. 

Thompson's  battalion  of  Pennsylvania 
riflemen  remained  with  the  arm\'  under 
Washington  during  the  summer  of  1775, 
participating  in  the  siege  of  Boston.  Cap- 
tain Michael  Doudel,  who  commanded  the 
company  from  York  County,  resigned  his 
commission  on  account  of  ill  health-  and  re- 
turned to  his  family  at  York.  Lieutenant 
Henry  Miller  was  promoted  to  captain. 
This  battalion  was  placed  in  the  division  of 
General  Charles  Lee  upon  the  organization 
of  the  American  army  around  Boston.  It 
remained  in  his  command  until  August  20, 
when  it  was  transferred  to  General  Israel 
Putnam,  encamped  four  miles  from  Cam- 
bridge. On  August  29,  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Edward  Hand  writes :  "  Our  battalion 
formed  the  picket  guard  of  the  two 
thousand  provincial  troops  who  on  the 
evening  of  the  26th  of  August  took  posses- 
sion of  Ploughed  Hill  and  threw  up  en- 
trenchments, and  on  the  morning  of  the 
27th  met  with  its  first  loss.  Private  Simpson, 
of  Captain  Matthew  Smith's  company,  who 
was  wounded  in  the  leg-  and  died  there- 
from." 

Captain  James  Wilkinson,  who,  after  the 
Revolution,  became  commander-in-chief  of 
the  army,  joined  Thompson's  battalion  at 
Boston  as  a  volunteer.  In  recording  the 
death  of  Private  Simpson,  he  says :  "  The 
young  man  was  visited  and  consoled  during 
his  illness  by  General  Washington  in  per- 
son and  by  most  of  the  officers  of  rank  be- 
longing to  the  army.  Every  exertion  by 
surgeons  was  made  to  save  him,  and  his 
death  became  a  theme  of  common  sorrow 
in  an  army  of  twelve  or  fourteen  thousand 
men." 

.\n     incident     now     occurred 
Proposed       which  interested  all  the  Penn- 
Canada         syhania  soldiers  under  Colo- 
Expedition,     nel    Thompson.      An    expedi- 
tion had  been  planned  to  in- 
vade Canada.     The  story  goes  that  this  ex- 
pedition was  suggested  by  Benedict  Arnold, 
then  considered  a  skillful  soldier,  who  held 
the    commission    of    colonel    in    the    army 
around  Boston.    One  thousand  men  were  to 
be  detached  and  sent  under  Arnold  through 
the  wilderness  of  Maine    to    Quebec.      On 
September   5   the   company   under   Captain 


II 


1 62 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUXTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


Smith,  of  Dauphin  County,  and  the  com- 
pany under  Captain  Hendricks,  of  Cuinl)er- 
land  County,  were  ordered  to  parade  upon 
the  Boston  Common,  preparatory  to  join- 
ing Arnold,  and  they  united  witli  his  expe- 
dition the  following  week.  The  story  of 
their  experience  in  this  campaign  is  given 
in  the  history  of  the  first  expedition  to 
Canada,  described  elsewhere  in  this  work. 

The  York  riflemen  under  Henry  Miller 
were  disappointed  in  not  having  the  oppor- 
tunity of  joining  Arnold  on  this  expedition, 
for  they  already  had  attained  a  high  reputa- 
tion as  trained  marksmen.  A  troubl'e  had 
arisen,  however,  in  Thompson's  command, 
for  some  of  his  troops,  including  the  York 
Riflemen,  had  been  lax  in  discipline,  even 
going  so  far  as  to  have  released  some  of 
their  companions  from  the  guard  house,  for 
which  offense  they  themselves  were 
punished.  In  order  that  idleness  might  not 
be  a  bane  to  them,  the  commanding  general 
ordered  that  they  should  thereafter  do  all 
camp  duty  the  same  as  other  regiments. 
Obedient  to  the  order,  a  strict  discipline 
was  now  enforced  by  the  company  officers, 
and  a  contemporary  letter  states,  "that 
upon  every  alarm  it  was  impossil^le  for 
men  to  behave  with  more  readiness  or 
attend  better  to  their  duty."  On  the  gth 
of  November,  these  men,  who  had  already 
been  the  first  Pennsylvania  troops  to  en- 
gage the  British  in  armed  conflict,  took 
part  in  the  skirmish  at  Lechmere's  Point, 
in  sight  of  Boston.  In  describing  this  affair 
the  Philadelphia  Evening  Post  of  1775 
says : 

"  The     British     had     landed 

Valor  of  under  cover   of   a   fire    from 

Pennsylvania     their    batteries    on    Bunker, 

Troops.  Breed's  and  Copp's  hills,  as 

well  as  from  a  frigate  which 
lay  three  hundred  yards  ofT  the  point.  In  a 
high  tide  it  is  an  island.  Colonel  Thomp- 
son marched  instantly  with  his  men,  and 
though  it  was  a  \ery  stormy  day,  they  re- 
garded not  the  tide  nor  waited  for  boats, 
but  took  to  the  water  up  to  their  armpits, 
for  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  and  notwithstand- 
ing the  regulars'  fire,  reached  the  island, 
and  although  the  enemy  were  lodged  behind 
the  walls  and  under  cover,  drove  them  to 
their  boats.  Loss,  one  killed  (Alexander 
Creighton,    of    Ross'    company)    and    three 


\\-ounded  :  British  loss,  seventeen  killed  and 
one  wounded." 

The  ne.xt  day,  according  to  official  re- 
ports. Colonel  Thompson  and  his  battalion 
were  pidjlicly  thanked  by  AX'ashington  in 
general  orders.  General  Washington's 
army  around  Boston  was  increased  in 
numbers  by  the  arrival  of  new  troops 
during  the  winter  of  1775-6.  Early  in 
March  there  were  indications  that  General 
Howe,  the  commander  of  the  British  forces, 
was  making  arrangements  to  evacuate  the 
city,  and  on  the  17th  of  March  the  siege  of 
Boston  ended,  when  General  How^e  set  sail 
with  his  army  for  Halifax,  in  Nova  Scotia. 
It  was  this  incident  in  .American  history  that 
ga\-e  rise  to  the  humorous  expression 
"  Gone  to  Halifax,"  After  his  arrival  at 
Halifax,  Howe  made  arrangements  for  an 
expedition  against  New  York  City. 

Immediately  after  the  departure  of  the 
British.  Washington  took  possession  of 
Boston.  Believing  that  the  final  destination 
of  Howe  was  New  York,  he  began  to  move 
part  of  his  army  toward  that  city,  leaving 
Boston  in  possession  of  New  England 
troops.  He  accompanied  his  army  on  the 
march  toward  New  York. 

Colonel  Thompson  was  jiromoted  to  the 
rank  of  brigadier-general  on  March  i,  and 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Hand  was  placed  in 
connnanil  of  the  battalion,  receiving  his 
commission  as  colonel  from  Continental 
Congress,  March  7.  During  the  siege  of 
Boston,  W'alter  Cruise,  John  Brown  and 
Cornelius  Turner,  of  York  Count}-,  were 
taken  prisoners.  At  this  time  Colonel  Ed- 
ward Hand  reported  that  his  battalion  was 
composed  of  six  companies. 

Hand's   battalion,   which   now   in 

An  official  papers  was  called  a  reg- 

Historic  iment.  had  a  standard  of  "  deep 
Banner.  green  ground,  the  device  a  tiger 
partly  enclosed  by  toils  attempt- 
ing the  pass,  defended  by  a  hunter  armed 
with  a  spear  (in  wdiite)  on  crimson  field, 
the  motto  '  Domari  Nolo."  "  Their  uni- 
forms were  made  of  brown  holland  and 
Osnaburgs,  something  like  a  shirt,  douljle 
caped  over  the  shoulders  in  imitation  of  the 
Indians;  and  on  the  breast  in  capital  letters 
was  their  motto,  "  Liberty  or  Death." 

When  Washington  discovered  that  Howe 
was  preparing    to    leave    Boston,    he    sent 


THE    REVOLUTION 


i6- 


General  Sullivan  with  Thompson's,  now 
Hand's,  riflemen  with  five  other  regiments 
to  Xew  York.  They  left  Boston  on  March 
14  and  arrived  at  New  York  March  28.  Ar- 
rangements had  been  made  for  Sullivan  to 
reinforce  the  expedition  against  Montreal 
in  Canada,  taking  the  place  of  Thomas,  who 
succeeded  Montgomery  after  the  latter  had 
been  killed. 

Hand's    regiment,     in     which     the 
March      York  riflemen,  under  Captain  Mil- 

to  ler,  were  now  serving,  was  ]:)laced 

Long  under  General  Israel  Putnam,  who 
Island,  had  been  sent  to  New  York  by 
Washington  to  take  command  of 
all  the  forces  in  and  around  that  city  and 
await  the  e.xpected  arrival  of  the  British 
army  from  Halifax,  .\pril  5.  Hand's  reg- 
iment w'as  moved  by  order  of  General  Put- 
nam to  Long  Island,  where  it  remained  at  a 
station  near  New  Utrecht  during  the  re- 
mainder of  April  and  the  months  of  May 
and  June,  doing  some  good  service. 

On  the  22d  of  April.  1776.  General  W'ash- 
ington  said  in  a  letter  to  the  President  of 
Congress.  "  The  time  for  which  the  rifle- 
men enlisted  will  expire  on  the  first  of  Juh' 
next,  and  as  the  loss  of  such  a  \-aluable  and 
brave  body  of  men  will  be  of  great  injury  to 
the  ser\-ice  I  would  su1:)mit  it  to  the  con- 
sideration of  Congress  whether  it  would  not 
be  best  to  adopt  some  method  to  induce 
them  to  continue.  They  are.  indeed,  a  very 
useful  corps,  but  I  need  not  mention  this. 
as  their  importance  is  already  kncjwn  to 
Congress." 

Congress  had  (without  the  knowledge  of 
the  commander-in-chief)  passed  a  resolu- 
tion, dated  April  15.  to  recruit  and  re-enlist 
the  battalion  and  the  independent  rifle  com- 
panies attached  to  it.  for  a  term  of  two  years 
unless  sooner  discharged.  On  the  30th  of 
June,  the  day  when  the  time  of  those  who 
did  not  re-enlist  expired.  Colonel  Hand  said 
in  a  letter.  "  Almost  all  the  men  discharged 
today  declare  that  they  will  stay  to  know 
what  the  fleet  will  do."  meaning  the  British 
fleet  bringing  Howe's  army  from  Halifax  to 
the  harbor  of  New  York.  (3n  the  first  of 
July.  1776.  the  rifle  battalion,  recruited  and 
re-enlisted,  entered  on  another  term  of 
service  as  the  First  Regiment  of  Pennsyl- 
vania in  the  Continental  Line.  Pennsyl- 
vania troops  thus  formed  the  first  regiment 
of  the  regular  army  of  the  United  States. 


FIRST  EXPEDITION  TO  CANADA. 

Soon  after  the  opening  of  the  war  at 
Lexington  and  Concord,  the  conquest  of 
Canada  was  contemplated  by  the  New 
England  leaders,  but  Congress  was  un- 
willing to  adopt  measures  except  such  as 
were  purely  defensi\-e  in  character.  It  was 
only  with  reluctance  that  Congress  had 
sanctioned  the  garrisoning  of  Ticonderoga 
in  northeastern  New  York  by  Connecticut 
troops.  During  the  summer  of  1775  it  was 
ascertained  that  Sir  Guy  Carleton.  the 
Governor  of  Canada,  w^as  about  to  take 
steps  to  recover  Ticonderoga.  which  had 
been  captured  by  Ethan  Allen  in  May. 
Congress  also  learned  that  the  English  had 
intrigued  with  the  Iroquois  Indians  of  cen- 
tral New  York  to  harass  the  New*  England 
frontier  and  the  region  along  the  Hudson 
River.  \\'ith  this  condition  of  affairs 
Congress  resolved  upon  the  invasion  of 
Canada  as  a  measure  of  self-defence. 

An    expedition    led    by    General 
March       Richard       ^Montgomery       passed 
to  down     Lake     Champlain    against 

Quebec.  Montreal.  On  September  12, 
Montgomery,  with  a  force  of  two 
thousand  men,  laid  siege  to  the  fortress  of 
St.  John's,  which  commanded  the  approach 
to  Montreal.  .After  a  siege  of  fifty  days  St. 
John's  surrendered  and  Montgomery  en- 
tered Montreal  nine  days  later.  Meanwhile 
\\'ashington.  in  command  of  the  army  at 
Cambridge,  detached  one  thousand  infantry. 
'Morgan's  Virginia  sharpshooters,  and  two 
companies  of  riflemen  from  Pennsylvania  to 
advance  through  the  forests  of  Maine  to 
Oueljec.  This  expedition  was  in  command 
of  Colonel  Benedict  Arnold,  wdio  is  sup- 
posed to  have  suggested  it.  .\aron  Burr 
served  on  the  staff  of  Arnold  in  this  expeili- 
tion  and  at  one  time  acted  as  a  spy  in  the 
garb  of  a  Catholic  priest.  One  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania companies  that  went  with  this  ex- 
pedition was  recruited  in  Cumberland 
County  and  was  commanded  by  Captain 
William  Hendricks:  the  other  connnanded 
In-  Captain  Matthew  Smith,  had  been  raised 
in  the  present  area  of  Dauphin  County. 
Both  of  these  companies  had  served  in 
Thompson's  Battalion  at  the  siege  of  Boston 
and  both  contained  some  York  County  sol- 
diers. Lieutenant  Michael  Simpson,  who 
afterward   wrote   the   introduction  to  Hon. 


1 64 


HISTORY   OF    YORK   COUNTY,    PENXSYLVAXIA 


John  Joseph  Henry's  account  of  this  expe- 
dition, was  a  lieutenant  in  Captain  Smith's 
company.  He  resided  on  the  Simpson 
Ferry  property  at  New  Market  in  Fairview 
Township. 

Arnold's  march,  which  was  as  difficult  as 
Hannibal's  crossing  of  the  Alps,  was  con- 
ducted with  great  ability,  but  it  was  nearly 
ruined  by  the  misconduct  of  a  subordinate 
officer,  who  deserted  with  two  hundred  men 
and  the  greater  part  of  the  provisions. 
After  frightful  hardships  to  which  two  hun- 
dred more  men  succumbed,  on  the  13th  of 
X^ovember  the  little  army  climbed  the 
Heights  of  Al)raham,  fronting  Quebec.  As 
Arnold's  force  was  insufficient  to  storm  the 
city  and  the  garrison  would  not  come  out  to 
fight,  he  was  obliged  to  await  the  arrival  of 
Montgomery,  who  had  just  taken  Montreal. 
On  the  morning  of  December  31,  Mont- 
gomery and  Arnold  made  a  conijjined  attack 
on  Quebec  and  each  came  near  carrying  his 
point,  but  in  the  assault  Montgomery  was 
slain  and  Arnold  wounded  in  the  leg.  The 
enthusiasm  of  the  troops  was  chilled  and 
they  were  repelled.  Captain  Morgan  suc- 
ceeded Montgomery  in  the  temj^orary  com- 
mand but  in  a  violent  attack  on  the  British, 
he  and  his  company  were  made  prisoners. 
With  the  failure  of  this  desperate  attack 
passed  away  the  golden  opportunity  for  tak- 
ing the  citadel  of  Canada.  Arnold  remained 
throughout  the  winter  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Quebec  and  in  the  spring  the  enterprise 
was  taken  up  by  W'ooster  and  Sullivan  with 
fresh  forces. 

During  the  fall  of  1775  Con- 
Reinforce-  gress  asked  that  five  battalions 
merits  for  l)e  rais"ed  in  Pennsylvania  to  re- 
Canada,  inforce  the  expedition  for  the 
conquest  of  Canada.  When 
these  battalions  were  organized  the  first 
was  commanded  by  John  Philip  De  Hass,  of 
Lebanon;  the  second  by  Colonel  Arthur  St. 
Clair,  of  Westmoreland  county,  who  had 
seen  service  in  the  British  army  under  Am- 
herst;  the  third  by  Colonel  John  Shea,  an 
Irish  merchant  of  Philadelphia;  the  fourth 
by  Colonel  Anthony  Wayne,  a  surveyor  and 
member  of  the  assembly  from  Chester 
county,  and  the  fifth  by  Colonel  Robert 
McGaw.  of  Carlisle.  January  4,  1776,  Con- 
gress passed  a  resolution  that  a  sixth  bat- 
talion be  raised  in  Pennsylvania,  which  was 
recruited    west    of    the    Susquehanna.        .Ks 


York  count}'  had  no  troops  yet  organized  in 
response  to  these  \'ariotis  calls  for  the  ex- 
pedition to  Canada,  James  Smith,  a  practic- 
ing lawyer  and  chairman  of  the  Committee 
of  Safety  for  York  county,  wrote  the  fol- 
lowing letter : 

James  Smith  to  Benjamin  Franklin  and  Robert  Morris, 
Esquires,  and  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  Penn- 
sylvania. 

York,  Pa.,  December  2i,   1775. 

Gentlemen  : — By  the  last  night's  post  we  received  the 
public  papers,  acquainting  us  of  the  resolve  of  congress 
touching  the  raising  of  four  battalions  in  this  province 
and  desiring  the  conmiittee  of  safety  to  appoint  the  com- 
pany officers  and  recommend  the  field  officers  of  those 
battalions   to   the   honorable   continental   congress. 

The  time  limited  for  the  appointment  and  recom- 
mendation being  fi.xed  to  the  second  of  January  it  will 
be  impracticable  for  the  members  of  your  committee  in 
this  county  to  attend;  in  this  situation  of  affairs  the 
Committee  of  Correspondence  for  York  County  hope 
your  board  will  not  think  it  improper  to  trouble  you  on 
that  subject,  well  knowing  that  the  great  cause  of 
American  liberty  is  our  primary  object  and  that  every- 
thing that  may  tend  to  forward  that  glorious  cause 
through  whatever  channel  will  not  be  unacceptable.  I 
am  directed  by  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  for 
this  county  to  write  to  the  Committee  of  Safety  and  in 
the  strongest  terms  to  request  that  the  board  may 
please  to  recommend  Thomas  Hartley,  Esq.,  to  be  lieu- 
tenant colonel  of  one  of  the  battalions  to  be  raised  in 
this  province  and  in  case  that  recommendation  should 
take  place  that  the  board  will  please  to  appoint  David 
Grier.  Esq..  to  be  captain;  John  McDowell,  lieutenant; 
William  Nichols,  ensign,  of  one  company;  Moses  Mc- 
Clean,  captain ;  Lewis  Bush,  lieutenant,  and  Robert 
Hoopes,  ensign,  of  another  company  in  the  same  bat- 
talion; and  if  a  third  company  should  be  raised  in  York 
county  to  please  to  appoint  Bernard  Eichelberger,  cap- 
tain or  lieutenant  as  you  may  think  best. 

If   the   board    should   think   this    application    not    im- 
proper  in  this  situation  and   it   should  be  agreeable   to 
them,  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  here  will  exert 
every  nerve  in   assisting  the  officers  to  get   their  com- 
panies  filled   in   the  most  expeditious   manner  witli  the 
best  men  and  at  the  least  possible  expense  to  the  public. 
I  am 
Gentlemen 
with  great  respect 
Your  most  Innnble  Servant, 
To  Benjamin  Franklin  &  James  Smith,  Chair' 

Robert  Morris,  Esq.,  and  of  the  Com'e  York  Co. 

the  Connnittee  of  Safety  of  the 
Province  of  Pennsylvania 
at    Philadelphia. 

By  the  Lancaster  post  to  be  delivered  as  soon  as 
possible. 

SIXTH  PENNSYLVANIA  BATTALION 

William  Irvine,  a  graduate  of  medicine 
from  the  University  of  Dublin,  who  settled 
at  Carlisle  in  1764,  where  he  practiced  his 
profession  until  the  opening  of  the  Revolu- 
tion, was  appointed  to  command  the  Sixth 
Battalion.  Colonel  Ir\-ine  had  servetl  as  an 
officer  in  the  British  army  in  the  war  be- 
tween England  and  France  before  he  came 
to  this  country.     Thomas  Hartley,  then  a 


'rill'".     REVOLU'i'IOX 


l6: 


])racticing  lawyer  at  ^'()|•k.  was  inailc  lieu- 
tenant colonel;  James  Dunlap.  major:  Rev. 
William  Linn,  chaplain:  John  Brooks,  ad- 
jutant, and   Robert  Johnston,   surgeon. 

Immediately  after  the  receipt  of  the  news 
from  Congress  asking  for  troops  from  west 
of  the  Susquehanna,  recruiting  began  at 
N'ork.  in  the  lower  end  of  York  county,  in 
the  Monaghau  settlement  around  the  pres- 
ent site  of  DilJsburg.  at  Hanover,  and  in 
the  Marsh  Creek  country  around  the  site  • 
of  Gettysburg.  In  a  short  time  two  com- 
panies were  organized.  One  of  these  com- 
panies was  commanded  by  Captain  David 
Grier.  a  member  of  the  bar.  wdio  had  been 
admitted  to  the  practice  of  law  at  York  in 
1 77 1.  The  other  was  commanded  by  Cap- 
tain Moses  }iIcClean.  son  of  Archibald  Mc- 
Clean.  a  noted  surveyor  of  York  who  had 
assisted  in  running  Mason  and  Dixon's  line. 

Colonel  Irvine's  command,  known  in  his- 
tory as  the  Sixth  Pennsylvania  battalion, 
was  organized  at  Carlisle  in  March.  1776. 
On  the  22d  _of  that  month  Colonel  Irvine 
wrote  to  John  Hancock.  President  of  Con- 
gress : 

'T  am  honored  with  your  orders  to  march 
my  battalion  to  New  York,  wdiich  shall  be 
complied  with,  with  all  possible  expedition. 
Many  of  the  arms  are  old.  and  want  bay- 
onets and  repairs.  However.  I  shall  not 
wait  for  bayonets,  as  I  hope  to  be  supplied 
at  Philadelphia  or  New  York.  I  have  been 
ol)liged  to  purchase  many  rifles,  but  I  pre- 
sume they  may  l)e  changed  for  muskets, 
should  the  service  require  it:  knapsacks, 
haversacks,  canteens,  and  many  other  ne- 
cessaries which  the  commissioners  promised 
to  forward  for  my  battalion,  have  not  yet 
come  to  hand.  Though  I  do  not  mean  to 
wait  for  them,  yet  X  think  it  proper  to  ac- 
quaint you.  as  t^erhaps  your  fitrther  orders 
may  be  necessary." 

A  few  days  later  Colonel  Irvine  left  Car- 
lisle with  his  battalion  for  the  Canada  cam- 
paign. His  command  numbered  780  men. 
'I'he  captains  of  the  eight  dilTerent  com- 
panies comprising  this  battalion  were: 
Da\id  Grier,  Moses  McClean,  Samuel  Hay. 
Robert  Adams,  Abraham  Smith.  William 
Riiqjew  James  A.  \\  ilson  and  Jeremiah 
Talbotl. 

In  accordance  with  a  resolution  of  Con- 
gress each  company  was  to  be  com])osed  of 
sixty-eight  men.  one  captain,  one  lieutenant. 


one  ensign,  four  sergeants  and  four  cor- 
porals: pri\ates  to  be  enlisted  for  one  year 
at  five  dollars  per  month :  each  private  to  be 
allowed  instead  of  bount}-.  one  felt  hat.  a 
pair  of  yarn  stockings  and  a  pair  of  shoes: 
the  men  to  find  their  own  arms :  the  en- 
listed men  to  be  furnished  with  a  hunting 
.^hirt.  not  exceeding  in  value  one  and  one- 
third  of  a  dollar,  and  a  blanket,  provided 
tliese  can  be  procured  but  not  to  be  made 
part  of  the  terms  of  enlistment. 

The  Sixth  Battalion  under  Colo- 
Join  nel  Irvine  arrived  at  .\lbany 
Sullivan's  May  ro.  where  it  joined  a  part 
Command,  of      Wayne's      l)attalion      from 

Chester  county.  These  troops 
proceeded  to  Fort  Ticonderoga  on  Lake 
Champlain.  where  they  embarked  with  Gen- 
eral John  Sullivan  for  St.  John's.  Here 
the\'  joined  the  Pennsylvania  and  other 
troops,  all  of  which  were  placed  under  com- 
mand of  General  John  Sullivan,  a  native  of 
Maine,  who  had  held  a  command  under 
Washington  at  the  siege  of  Boston.  He 
was  one  of  the  eight  brigadier  generals  first 
commissioned  by  Congress  at  Philadelphia. 
On  June  2  he  took  coinmand  of  the  northern 
army  on  the  borders  of  Canada,  succeeding 
General  Thomas,  of  Massachusetts,  wdio 
had  died  of  smallpox  near  Montreal.  Wil- 
liam Thompson,  who  had  been  promoted 
from  the  command  of  his  battalion  of  Penn- 
syhania  riflemen  to  the  rank  of  brigadier 
general,  had  been  ordered  from  Boston  in 
April,  1776,  to  reinforce  General  Thomas 
with  four  regiments  which  were  afterward 
increased  to  ten.  He  met  the  northern 
army  on  its  retreat  from  Quebec  and  as- 
sumed the  chief  command  when  General 
Thomas  was  sick,  yielding  it  up  on  Jvme  4. 
to  General  Sullivan,  by  whose  orders  two 
days  later  he  made  a  disastrous  attack  on 
the  enemv  at  Three  Rivers. 

BATTLE  OF  THREE  RIVERS. 

The  story  of  the  battle  of  Three  Rivers 
is  liest  told  in  a  letter  written  by  Ivieutenant 
Colonel  Hartley,  of  York,  to  his  personal 
friend,  Jasper  Yeates.  of  Lancaster.  This 
letter  dated  at  the  camp  at  Sorel,  three  days 
after  the  i)attle.  June  12.  1776.  reads  as  fol- 
lows : 

"Before  the  arrival  of  Colonel  Wayne's 
and  Irvine's  regiments  under  the  command 
of  General  Sullivan,  Colonel  St.  Clair,  with 


1 66 


HISTORY    OF   YORK    COUNTY,    PEXNSYLVAXLV 


a  (letacliment  of  seven  hundred  men.  was 
sent  down  the  river  St.  Lawrence  al)out 
nine  leagues,  to  watch  tlie  motions  of  the 
enemy  and  act  occasionally.  General  Sul- 
livan's arrival  here  was  at  a  critical  time. 
Canada  was  lost,  unless  some  notable  exer- 
tion was  made;  the  credit  of  our  arms  gone 
and  no  large  numlier  of  our  American 
troops  to  sustain  our  posts.  It  was  saitl 
that  the  taking  of  Three  Rivers,  with  such 
troops  as  were  on  it  would  be  of  service.  .\ 
detachment  under  General  Thompson  was 
sent  down  the  river.  The  corps  under  Colo- 
nel St.  Clair  w'as  to  join  it,  and  if  the  Gen- 
eral thought  it  expedient,  he  was  ordered 
by  Sullivan  to  attack  the  enemy  at  Three 
Rivers. 

"We  left  this  on  the  evening  of  the  5th 
instant  in  several  batteaux  and  joined  St. 
Clair  about  twelve  o'clock  at  night.  It  be- 
ing too  late  to  proceed  on  to  Three  Rivers 
the  enterprise  was  postponed  until  the  next 
night. 

"In  the  dusk  of  the  evening  of  the  7th  we 
set  ofi  from  the  Nicolette  with  about  fifteen 
hundred  rank  and  file  besides  officers.  It 
was  intended  to  attack  Three  Rivers  about 
daybreak  in  four  places.  Thompson  landed 
his  forces  about  nine  miles  above  the  town 
on  the  north  side  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  and 
divided  his  army  into  five  divisions.  Max- 
well. St.  Clair,  Wayne  and  Irvine  each  com- 
manding a  division,  and  I  had  the  honor  of 
commanding  the  reserve.  Leaving  two 
hundred  and  fifty  men  to  guard  the  bat- 
teaux, the  army  proceeded  swiftly  towards 
the  town.  I  was  to  be  ready  to  sustain  the 
party  which  might  need  assistance. 

"The  guards  proved  faithless  and  the 
General  was  misinformed  as  to  the  number 
of  the  enemy  as  well  as  to  the  situation  of 
the  town.  Our  men  had  lost  their  sleep  for 
two  nights,  yet  were  in  pretty  good  spirits. 
Daylight  appeared  and  showed  us  to  the 
enemy.  Our  guides  (perhaps  traitors)  had 
led  us  through  windings,  and  were  rather 
carrying  us  off  from  the  post.  The  General 
was  enraged  at  their  conduct. 

"There  were  mutual  firings.  Our  people 
killed  some  in  a  barge.  Our  scheme  was 
no  longer  an  enterprise.  It  might  have 
been  prudent  perhaps  to  retreat  but  no  one 
would  propose  it.  We  endeavored  to  pene- 
trate through  a  swamp  to  the  town  and 
avoid  the  shipping.     A\  e  liad  no  idea  of  the 


difficulties  we  were  to  surmount  in  the  mire, 
otherwise  the  way  by  the  shipping  would 
have  been  preferred. 

"We  waded  three  hours  in  the  mud  about 
mid-deep  in  general,  the  men  fasting.  We 
e\ery  moment  expected  to  get  through  and 
find  some  good  ground  to  form  on,  but  were 
deceived.  The  second  division  under  Colo- 
nel Anthony  Wayne,  saw  a  part  of  the 
enemy  and  attacked  them.  Captain  Samuel 
Hay  of  our  regiment  (Sixth  battalion),  with 
his  company  of  riflemen,  assisted  and  be- 
haved nobly.  Colonel  Wayne  advanced, 
the  enemy's  light  infantry  were  driven  from 
their  ground  and  the  Indians  in  their  flanks 
were  silenced. 

"The  great  body  of  the  enemy, 
A  Furious     which    we    knew    nothing    of, 

Fire.  consisting  of  two  or  three  thou- 

sand men,  covered  with  en- 
trenchments, and  assisted  with  the  cannon 
of  the  shipping  and  several  field  pieces,  be- 
gan a  furious  fire  and  continued  it  upon  our 
troops  in  the  front.  It  was  so  heavy  that 
the  division  gave  way,  and  from  the  badness 
of  the  ground  could  not  form  suddenly 
again.  St.  Clair's  division  advanced  but  the 
fire  was  too  heavy.  Part  of  Irvine's  divi- 
sion, especially  the  riflemen,  went  up  to- 
wards the  enemy.  I  understood  the  army 
was  in  confusion.  I  consulted  some  friends 
and  led  up  the  reserve  within  a  short  dis- 
tance of  the  enemy.  McClean's  and  Grier's 
companies  from  York  county  advanced  with 
spirit;  McClean's  men  took  the  best  situa- 
tion, and  within  eighty  yards  of  the  enemy 
exposed  to  the  fire  of  the  shipping  as  hot  as 
hell.     I  experienced  some  of  it. 

"Not  a  man  of  McClean's  company  be- 
haved badly;  Grier's  company  behaved  well. 
Several  of  the  enemy  were  killed  in  the  at- 
tack of  the  reserve.  Under  the  disadvan- 
tages, our  men  would  fight ;  but  we  had  no 
covering,  no  artillery,  and  no  prospect  of 
succeeding,  as  the  number  of  the  enemy  was 
so  much  superior  to  ours.  Wayne  and 
Allen  rallied  part  of  our  men,  and  kept  up  a 
fire  against  the  English  from  the  swamp. 
The  enemy,  in  the  meantime,  dispatched  a 
strong  body  to  cut  ofT  our  retreat  to  the 
boats,  wdien  it  was  thought  expedient  to 
retreat.  Our  General  and  Colonel  Irvine 
were  not  to  be  found ;  they  had  both  gone  up 
to  the  front  in  a  very  heavy  fire.  This  gave 
US  ereat  uneasiness  l)ut  a  retreat  was  neces- 


THE    REVOLUTION 


167 


sary.  This  could  not  l)e  done  regularly,  as 
we  could  not  regain  the  road  on  account  of 
the  enemy's  shipping  and  artillery,  and  went 
off  in  small  parties  through  the  swamp. 
Wayne  and  Allen  gathered  some  hundreds 
together  and  I  got  as  many  in  my  division 
as  I  could,  with  several  others  amounting 
to  upwards  of  two  hundred. 

"Wayne  with  his  party,  and  I  with  mine, 
tried  several  waj-s  to  get  to  our  batteau.x. 
Wayne  was  obliged,  not  far  from  the  river, 
to  march  by  seven  hundred  of  the  eneni)-. 
He  intended  to  attack  'them,  but  his  men 
were  so  much  fatigued  that  it  was  deemed 
unsafe.  The  enemy  fired  their  small  arms 
and  artillery  on  our  men  as  loud  as  thunder. 
They  returned  a  retreating  fire.  Several  of 
the  enemy  were  killed  and  wounded.  We 
came  within  a  mile  of  where  our  boats  were, 
but  our  guard  had  carried  them  ofi.  The 
English  had  possession  of  the  ground  where 
we  landed.  Their  shipping  proceeded  up 
the  river,  covering  parties  being  sent  to  take 
possession  of  the  ferries  we  were  to  pass. 

"Wayne  with  his  party  lay  near  the 
enemy.  I  passed  through  a  big  swamp  and 
at  night  took  possession  of  a  hill  near  the 
enemy.  We  were  without  food  and  the 
water  very  bad.  I  mounted  a  small  quarter 
guard,  fixed  my  alarm  post,  and  made  every 
man  lie  down  on  the  ground,  on  which  he 
was  to  rise  for  action  in  case  of  an  attack. 
I  slept  a  little  by  resting  my  head  on  a  cold 
bough  of  spruce. 

"Morning  dawned  (Sunday,  June  9).  and 
I  consulted  our  officers  and  men.  They 
said  they  were  refreshed  with  sleep.  It  was 
agreed  to  stand  together,  that  they  would 
support  me  and  effect  a  passage  through 
the  enemy  or  die  in  the  attempt.  A  little 
spring  water  refreshed  us  more.  The 
necessary  dispositions  were  made  but  we 
had  no  guides.  We  heard  the  enemy  within 
a  half  mile  of  us,  but  no  one  seemed  alarmed 
so  we  proceeded  and  luckily  fell  in  with 
Wayne's  track.  We  pursued  it  and  over- 
took him  near  the  river  Du  Lac.  This 
made  us  upwards  of  seven  hundred  strong 
and  we  agreed  to  attack  the  enemy  if  they 
fell  in  our  way  to  Bokie  (Berthier).  opposite 
Sorel.  We  were  sure  they  would  attempt 
the  fort  at  Sorel  before  we  could  arrive,  but 
as  we  came  up  the  English  left  the  ferries 
and  drew  all  their  forces  l)ack  to  Three 
Rivers.     Bv  forced  marches  and  surmount- 


ing every  difficulty,  we  got  up,  crossed  the 
ri\er  and  arrived  at  Sorel,  Monday  after- 
noon, June  10.  We  brought  nearly  twelve 
hundred  men  back  with  our  party.  ]\Iany 
are  yet  missing,  one  hundred  and  fifty  or 
two  hundred.  Some  scattered  ones  are 
continually  coming  in  so  that  our  loss  will 
not  be  so  great  as  was  first  imagined. 

"Colonel  Wayne  behaved  exceedingly 
well  and  showed  himself  a  man  of  courage 
and  a  true  soldier.  Colonel  Allen  exerted 
himself  and  is  a  fine  fellow.  Colonel  Max- 
well was  often  in  the  midst  of  danger.  His 
own  division  was  not  present  to  support 
him.  He  was  also  very  useful  in  the  re- 
treat after  he  joined  \Vayne.  Lieutenant 
Edie.  of  the  York  troops,  I  fear  is  killed. 
He  was  a  fine  young  fellow  and  behaved 
bravely.  He  approached  the  enemy's  works 
without  dismay  several  times  and  remained 
in  the  swamp  to  the  last.  He  was  in  the 
second  engagement  where  it  is  supposed  he 
was  killed.  Ensign  Hoopes  of  the  same 
company  was  wounded  near  the  breast- 
works when  I  led  up  the  reserve.  I  cannot 
say  too  much  of  his  bravery.  He  showed 
the  greatest  courage  after  he  had  received 
se\-eral  wounds  in  the  arm.  He  stood  his 
ground  and  animated  his  men.  He  nobly 
made  good  his  retreat  with  me  through  a 
swamp  nearly  eighteen  miles  long.  Sev- 
eral of  our  regiment  were  killed.  I  appre- 
hend between  thirty  and  fifty. 

"June  13.  Last  night  a  sort  of  flag  of 
truce  came  from  the  enemy.  General 
Thompson,  Colonel  William  Irvine.  Dr. 
McKenzie,  Lieutenants  Edie  and  Currie  and 
Parson  McCalla  (of  the  First)  are  prison- 
ers. They  were  taken  up  by  some  of  the 
rascally  Canadians  in  the  most  treacherous 
manner." 

At  the  time  of  the  battle  of  Three  Rivers, 
the  British  forces  in  Canada  numbering 
13,000  men.  were  under  command  of  Sir 
Guy  Carleton,  a  noted  soldier  in  the  English 
army,  who  had  been  appointed  governor  of 
the  Province  of  Quebec  in  1772.  He  had 
recaptured  Montreal  before  the  contest  at 
Three  Rivers,  where  the  British  troops  were 
commanded  by  Sir  John  Burgoyne,  the  ill- 
fated  officer  who,  in  1777.  surrendered  his 
entire  army  at  the  battle  of  Saratoga.  The 
American  forces  at  the  battle  of  Three  Riv- 
ers were  composed  entirely  of  Pennsylvania 
troops,  with   the  e.xception   of  a  small  de- 


1 68 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY.    PEXXSYLVAXIA 


tachmcnt  from  Xew  Jersey.  They  fought 
gallantly  against  great  odds  with  all  the  ad- 
vantages in  favor  of  the  enemy.  It  was  the 
first  engagement  of  the  Revolution  on 
American  soil  fought  by  Pennsylvania 
troops.  Although  they  did  not  succeed,  the 
battle  proved  again  to  the  ministry  and  the 
King  of  England  that  the  American  volun- 
teers, fighting  for  libert\-  and  independence, 
were  destined  to  rank  in  a])ility  and  achieve- 
ment with  the  trained  soldiers  of  Europe. 

After  the  engagement  at  Three 
Sullivan  Rivers  and  the  defeat  of  .Arnold 
Retreats,  at  Montreal,  Sullivan  began  his 
masterh-  retreat.  He  joined 
Arnold  at  St.  Johns,  on  the  Sorel  river, 
wdiich  flows  from  the  mouth  of  Lake  Cham- 
plain  into  the  St.  Lawrence. 

"The  rear  of  the  army,"  says  Wilkinson 
in  his  "Memoirs,"  "with  baggage  stores, 
reached  St.  Johns  on  June  i8th,  was  em- 
barked and  moved  up  the  Sorel  the  same 
afternoon.  After  the  last  boat  except  Ar- 
nold's had  put  off,  at  Arnold's  suggestion, 
he  and  Wilkinson  went  down  the  direct 
road  to  Chamblv  for  two  miles,  where  they 
met  the  advance  of  the  British  di\ision, 
under  Burgoyne.  They  reconnoitered  it  a 
few  minutes,  then  galloped  back  to  St. 
Johns  and  stripping  their  horses,  shot  them. 
Arnold  then  ordered  all  on  board,  pushed 
off  the  boat  with  his  own  hands,  and  thus 
indulged  the  vanity  of  being  the  last  man 
wdTo  embarked  from  the  shores  of  the 
enemy.  They  followed  the  army  twelve 
miles  to  the  Lsle  Aux  Xoix,  where  they  ar- 
rived after  dark." 

The  head  of  Burgoyne's  column  entered 
St.  Johns  on  the  evening  of  the  i8th,  and 
Philip's  advance  guard  on  the  morning  of 
the  19th.  On  the  19th  general  orders  at 
Isle  Aux  Noix  directed  the  commands  of 
de  Hass,  Wayne,  St.  Clair  and  Ir\-ine  to 
encamp  on  the  east  side  of  the  island. 

On  the  2 1  St.  Irvine's  battalion  met  with 
another  heavy  loss,  as  is  detailed  by  a  letter 
from  one  of  the  regiment : 

"Captains  McClean,  Adams  and  Rippey, 
Lieutenants  McFerran.  McAllister  and 
Hoge,  and  Ensigns  Lusk  and  Culbertson, 
with  four  privates,  went  over  from  the  Isle 
-Aux  Noix  to  the  western  shore  of  the  lake, 
about  a  mile  from  camp,  l)ut  within  sight, 
to  fish  and  divert  themselves.  McClean 
prutlently  proposed  to  take  arms  with  them 


Init  was  o\erruled.  Some  Indians  observed 
their  motions,  and  wdiile  they  were  at  a 
house  drinking  some  spruce  beer,  the  sav- 
ages surrounded  them,  killed  Captain 
Adams, Ensign  Culbertson  and  two  privates, 
whom  they  scalped  in  a  most  inhuman  and 
barljarous  manner,  and  carried  off  prisoners 
McClean,  McFerran,  McAllister  and  Hoge 
and  two  other  privates.  But  a  party  coming 
to  their  relief  from  camp  aided  Captain  Rip- 
pey and  Ensign  Lusk  to  make  their  escape." 

The  bodies  of  those  killed  were  brought 
to  the  Isle  Aux  Noix  and  decently  buried 
!)}■  Wa}'ne,  ^\■ho  with  a  party  followed  the 
Indians  and  recovered  the  batteaux  with 
the  bodies. 

Isle  Aux  Xoix  proved  very  unlTealthy; 
Wayne  had  sixty  men  out  of  one  hundred 
and  thirty-eight  taken  down  with  sickness, 
after  their  arrival  there:  and  on  the  24th  of 
June,  de  Haas  and  all  his  field  officers  with 
a  number  of  his  men  were  sick.  On  the 
25th,  General  Sullivan  commenced  moving 
the  army  to  Isle  la  Motte.  Colonel  Hartley, 
with  two  hundred  and  fifty  men  of  Irvine's 
battalion,  went  by  land,  scouring  the  coun- 
tr}',  traversing  disagreeable  swamps,  de- 
stroying on  the  way  the  houses,  mills,  etc., 
of  the  traitor  McDonald,  who  had  deceived 
them  at  I'hree  Rivers. 

( )n  June  27th,  at  Isle  la  Motte 
Gates  in  all  the  army  took  vessels  and 
Command,  came  to  Crown  Point,  which 
they  reached  on  July  ist. 
General  Gates  arrived  there  on  the  evening 
of  the  5th,  superceding  General  Sullivan, 
and  on  the  7th  at  a  council  of  war,  it  was 
determined  to  remove  the  army  to  Ticon- 
deroga.  The  battalions  of  de  Haas,  St. 
Clair  and  W  ayne  arrived  there  on  the  loth, 
the  Sixth  battalion  under  Hartley  remain- 
ing posted  at  Crown  Point,  where  it  en- 
camped the  balance  of  the  summer  and  fall, 
the  sentinel  regiment  of  Gates"  army.  On 
the  20th  Gate's  brigaded  his  army,  and  the 
four  Pennsylvania  battalions  were  consti- 
tuted the  Fourth  Brigade,  Colonel  Arthur 
St.  Clair  commanding:  Edward  Scull  bri- 
gade-major for  the  Third  and  Fourth  bat- 
talions. August  14th,  Hartley's  scouts 
found  the  British  still  at  St.  Johns. 

On  the  6th  of  Septemlier,  Hartley  desired 
General  Gates  to  send  to  Crown  Point, 
either  General  \\'ayne's  battalion  or  the 
Second  and  he  would  defend  it  with  them. 


TTIH    REVOLUTIOX 


169 


Gates  gave  liim  jjositive  orders  to  retreat 
if  the  British  reached  that  point.  'i'he 
British  did  not  come,  however,  and  on  the 
22d  Irvine's  regiment  was  still  at  Crown 
Point-^one  lieutenant  colonel,  one  major, 
four  captains.  li\-e  tirst  lieutenants,  three 
second  lieutenants,  five  ensigns,  four  staf¥, 
seventeen  sergeants,  fifteen  drvmis,  and  four 
hundred  and  eighty-six  rank  and  file.  On 
the  rith  of  October,  Hartley  still  main- 
tained his  post,  having  found  in  the  woods 
some  cannon  lost  in  the  French  war.  With 
great  labor  he  had  roads  cut  and  transported 
them  to  Crown  Point,  and  had  a  battery  of 
six  guns  read}'  for  the  enemj'  not  any  too 
soon,  for  on  the  same  day  the  British  at- 
tacked Arnold's  fleet  on  Lake  Champlain, 
compelling  him  to  retire  towards  Crown 
Point.  On  the  14th  Hartley  set  fire  to  all 
the  houses  at  or  near  Crown  Point  and  re- 
tired to  Ticonderoga. 

The  season  was  too  far  advanced  for  the 
British  to  make  any  further  progress ;  after 
threatening  Ticonderoga  they  retired  into 
winter  quarters.  On  the  i8th  of  November 
General  Gates  putting  \\'a\-ne  in  command 
of  Ticonderoga,  proceeded  to  join  General 
\\'ashington  with  the  larger  part  of  the 
army,  the  three  Pennsylvania  battalions 
whose  time  would  expire  on  the  5th  of  Jan- 
uary, agreeing  to  remain  until  they  were  re- 
lieved by  other  troops.  On  the  29th  of 
November,  the  Second,  commanded  by 
Wood,  numbered  four  hundred  and  twenty- 
six  officers  and  men ;  Wayne's  five  hundred 
and  sixty-five ;  Irvine's  five  hundred  and 
three. 

On  the  4th  of  Deceml)er.  Wayne  writes 
to  the  Committee  of  Safety: 

"The  wretched  condition  the  battalions 
are  now  in  for  want  of  almost  every  neces- 
sary, except  flour  and  bad  beef,  is  shocking 
to  humanity,  and  beggars  all  description. 
We  have  neither  beds  nor  bedding  for  our 
sick  to  lie  on  or  under,  other  than  their 
own  clothing;  no  medicine  or  other  things 
needed  for  them.  The  dead  and  dying, 
lying  mingled  together  in  our  hospital,  or 
rather  house  of  carnage,  is  no  uncommon 
sight.  The}'  are  objects  truly  worth}-  of 
your  notice." 

On  the  J4th  of  January,  1777,  the 

The         Pennsylvania    battalions    left    Ti- 

Return     conderoga    with    General    Wayne 

Home,      for   their   homes.      Irvine's   battal- 


ion under  the  command  of  Ucutenant 
Colonel  Hartley  reached  Carlisle  on  its 
return  March  15.  1777,  where  it  was  re- 
enlisted  for  three  years  or  the  war  as  the 
Se\enth  Pennsylvania  Regiment  of  the 
Continental  Line. 

Colonel  Irvine,  of  Carlisle,  who  com- 
manded the  Sixth  battalion  in  which  the 
York  county  troops  served,  was  captured 
at  Three  Rivers  and  carried  a  prisoner  to 
New  York,  where  he  was  paroled  August 
3,  1776.  but  was  not  exchanged  until  May 
6.  1778,  when  he  resumed  the  command 
of  the  Seventh  Pennsylvania  regiment.  He 
took  part  in  various  campaigns  ami  was 
promoted  to  brigadier  general  and  after  the 
war  ser\'ed  as  a  member  of  Continental 
Congress. 

A\'illiam  Thompson,  who  was  captured 
at  Three  Rivers,  had  commanded  Thomp- 
son's Rifle  Battalion  in  front  of  Boston  until 
he  was  promoted  brigadier-general  and 
joined  the  expedition  against  Canada.  He 
was  held  a  prisoner  in  New  York  until 
August,  1776,  when  he  returned  to  Phila- 
delphia on  parole  but  was  not  exchanged 
until  1778.  He  died  near  Carlisle  in  1781, 
aged  56  years. 

Captain  Moses  McClean,  who  was  ca]5- 
tured  by  the  Indians  in  this  campaign,  was 
held  a  prisoner  of  war  until  2^Iarch  zj.  1777. 
when  he  was  exchanged.  After  the  war  he 
moved  to  Ohio  and  died  at  Chillicothe.  Au- 
gust 25.  1810.  aged  seventy-three  years. 

Captain  Da\-id  Grier,  who  won  a  brilliant 
record  for  gallantry  at  Three  Rivers,  was 
promoted  to  major  of  his  regiment  October 
-5-  ^77^-  He  was  made  lieutenant  colonel 
of  tlie  Seventh  Pennsylvania  regiment, 
which  he  commanded  during  Colonel  Ir- 
vine's imprisonment.  In  September,  1777. 
he  participated  in  battles  under  General 
Wayne  'and  was  wounded  slightly  at 
Chad's  Ford  and  was  also  wounded  in  the 
side  by  a  bayonet  at  Paoli.  Colonel  Grier 
practiced  law  after  the  war  and  was  a  prom- 
inent citizen  of  York.  He  was  a  presiden- 
tial elector  at  W'ashington's  first  election. 
He  died  in  York  in  1791. 

Lieutenant  John  Edie.  who  became  a 
prisoner  of  war  at  Three  Rivers,  was  not 
exchanged  until  April  10.  1778.  From  1791 
to  1798  he  was  editor  and  one  of  the  owners 
of  the  Pennsylvania  Herald  and  General 
.\d\ertiser  published   at   York,   the   files  of 


I70 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY.    PENNSYLVANIA 


which  paper  are  in  the  Historical  Society  of  Necdham,  Robert 

York  county.     After  the  Revolution  Lieu-  XolX' LukT"' 

tenant  Edie  became  brigadier  general  in  the  O'Har'a.  Dennis 

state  militia.  Patten,  John 

Lieutenant  Abdiel  McAllister,  of  Grier's  RobhTson.'  John 
company,  who  was  captured  at  Three  Riv- 
ers, was  the  oldest  son  of  Colonel  Richard 


Sample,  VVilham 
Shugart,  EH 
Simonton,  John 
Sloane,  David 
Smith,  Patrick 
Sulhvan,  Peter 
Tibbens,  Henry 


McAllister,  founder  of  Hanover,  who  com- 
manded the  Second  regiment  in  the  Flying 
Camp. 


CAPTAIN   DAVID  GRIER'S  COM- 
PANY. 


CAPTAIN   MOSES    McCLEAN'S   COM 
PANY. 


Captain    David    Grier's    company    came 
from  York,  Hanover,  the  vicinitj'  of  Dills- 
burg  and   the   lower   end   of  York   county. 
Its   membership  was   almost   entirely  com- 
posed  of   Scotch-Irish.       The   following   is 
The  following  is  a  complete  muster  roll    the  complete  muster  roll  of  the  company: 
of  Captain  Moses   McClean's  company  re- 
cruited partly  in  York  county  and  partly  in 
the  present  area  of  Adams  county: 


Adair,  John 
Alhson,  Robert 
Atcheson,  Edward 
Barclay,   Joseph 
Blain,  John 
Blakely,   George 
Brown,  John 
Campbell,  William 
Chesney,  Thomas 
Cochran,  William 
Conn,  John 
Commoly,  John 
Crawford,  Robert 
Cunningham,  David 
Cunningham,   Patrick 
Dill,  Thomas 
Dingley,  William 
DuflSeld,  Felix 
Dunlap.  John 
Evan.   William 
Entrican.   William 
Faith,  Alexander 
Gerard,   Mathias 
Gibbons,  Henry 
Gravnor,  Thomas 
Griffith,  David 
Hall,  John 
Hargie,  John 
Heinerman,   Michael 
Hughes,  William 


Caftain. 
McClean.   Moses. 

First  Lieutenants. 
Eichelberger,  Barnet. 
Edie.  John. 

Seeond  Lieutenant, 

Hoge.  John. 

Ensign, 

Hoopes,  Robert. 

Sergeants. 

Ralston,  Robert. 

Smith,  John. 

Milligan,  James. 

King,  John. 

Allison,  Robert. 
Drum  and  Fife, 

Conner.  Patrick. 

Stack,  Richard. 
Privates, 

Jayne,  Aaron 
Johnston,  George 
Johnston,  James 
Kelly,  Edward 
Kennedy,  Samuel 
King,   Patrick 
King,  William 
Kincaid,  Samuel 
Limerick,  Patrick 
Long,  Joseph 
Lynch,  Patrick 
Alahon,  Charles 
Madden.  Timothy 
Ma.xwell.  James 
Meloy,  Bartholomew 
McBride,  John 
McDaniel,  James 
McDonald,  William 
McDowell,  John 
McFarland.  Jacob 
McGee,  John 
McGonagal,  Neal 
McGuan.  Patrick 
McKeeder,  Owen 
McManery,  James 
McWilliams,  John 
Morgan.  Christian 
Mullen,  Daniel 
Murphy,  Dennis 
Murray,  Eneas 


Anguis,  William 
Barnes,  Patrick 
Baker,  George 
Bacheldor,  Ebenezer 
Barry,  James 
Beard,  Robert 
Brian,  John 
Campbell,  .Archibald 
Clemmonds,  John 
Conn,  Adam 
Conner,  George 
Conway.  Charles 
Cooper.  George 
Corrigan,  Cornelius 
—Davis,  David 
Dulany,  Thomas 
Dorce  or  Deis.  John 
Dougherty,  Charles 
Dougherty,  John 
Esson,  Alexander 
Falkner,  John 
Frick,  John 
Forsyth,   Robert 
Gedcies,  Joseph 
Grant,  Peter 
Guncager,  Charles 
Gytinger,  Charles 
Harkins,  James 
Hickenbottom,  Edward 
Hodge,  Isaac 


Captain, 

Grier,  David. 

First  Lieutenant, 

McDowell,  John. 

Second  Lieutenant, 

McAllister,  Abdiel. 
Ensigns. 

Nichols,   William. 

Hughes,  John. 
Sergeants, 

Walker,  Andrew. 

Kno.x,  John. 

Jeffries,  Robert. 

Hayman,   John. 
Corporals, 

Lawson.  James. 

Mcllhenny,   Felix. 

Lethew,   David. 
Tomson,   Ezra. 
Drum   and   Fife, 

Hamilton,  James. 

Wright,   Mathias. 
Privates, 

Hoy,  Thomas 
Jackson,  Archibald 
Johnston,  Robert 
Johnston,  William 
Kelly,  George 
Kelly,  Thomas 
Leeson,  James 
IVLason.  William 
Matthews,  Jacob 
McCall,  John 
McCoy,  William 
McDaniel,  John 
McGowan,  Samuel 
McKissack,  Henry 
McMeehan,   Michael 
McMullan,  James 
Mealy,  Lawrence 
Murphy,   Michael 
Murphy,   Dennis 
O'Loan.  Patrick 
O'Niel,  Peter 
Pcarcy,  John 
Price,  James 
Quigley,  William 
Redmond,  Murtough 
Robinson,  James 
Roney.  Patrick 
Russel.  Joseph 
Scullion,  Patrick 
Schregh,  Peter 


THE  GLOBE  INN,  WHERE  LAFAVETTE    WAS    ENTER- 
TAINED IN   1N25 


FIGLKE  OF  JUSTICE  IN  COLONIAL  COURT   HOUSE 


THE    REVOLUTIOxX 


171 


Shaw,  Arcliibald 
Shaw.  James 
Standley,  Francis 
Shive,  Philip 
Schultz.  Micliael 
Seidle.   Peter 
Schneiiler.  Jolin 
Spencer,  Edward 
Stevenson,  James 
Swank,  Baltzer 
Swartz,  George 


Swartz,  Peter 
Taylor,  John 
Trees,  Jacob 
Wade,  Joseph 
Weaverling,  Adam 
Welch,  Edward 
White,  Isaac 
Wilkinson,  William 
Wilson,  Joseph 
Worley,  George 
Wright.  Matthias 


COLONEL  MILES'  REGIMENT. 

The  next  troops  to  leave  York  to  battle 
for  the  cause  of  independence  were  led  by 
Captain  Philip  Albright,  a  prominent  citizen 
of  the  county.  This  company  joined  Colonel 
Miles'  Pennsylvania  Ritle  Regiment,  which 
was  organized  March  5,  1776,  in  response 
to  a  call  of  the  State  Assembly  for  2,000 
troops  to  defend  Pennsyh-ania.  Colonel 
Saiuuel  Miles,  its  first  commander,  was 
then  a  resident  of  Philadelphia.  He  had 
served  with  credit  in  the  French  and  Indian 
War  under  Braddock.  and  when  peace  was 
declared,  was  placed  in  charge  of  a  garrison 
on  the  site  of  Erie.  He  raised  his  regiment 
of  1.000  men  and  formed  them  into  two  bat- 
talions within  a  period  of  six  weeks  and 
rendezvoused  at  Marcus  Hook,  on  the 
northeast  coast  of  New  Jersey. 

At  this  time  the  British  army 
Marches  under  Howe,  which  had  evacu- 
to  Long  ated  Boston  March  18.  had  not 
Island.  yet  arrived  at  Long  Island. 
Colonel  Miles  drilled  and  dis- 
ciplined his  regiment  for  active  service  in 
the  field  and  on  July  2  he  was  ordered  to 
Philadelphia,  where  the  regiment  was 
thoroughly  equipped.  On  July  5  he  marched 
with  his  command  to  Trenton  and  from 
thence  to  Amboy.  July  16  he  joined  Hugh 
Mercer,  who  had  been  raised  to  the  rank  of 
brigadier-general  at  the  request  of  Wash- 
ington, and  placed  in  command  of  the  Fly- 
ing Camp,  composed  largely  of  Pennsyl- 
vania troops.  The  British  army  was  soon 
to  attack  New  York  and  on  August  10 
Miles  was  ordered  to  Long  Island. 

On  August  12  Miles'  regiment  and  Colo- 
nel Samuel  Atlee's  battalion  of  musketry, 
from  Lancaster,  were  brigaded  with 
Glover's  and  Smalhvood's  regiments  and 
placed  under  the  command  of  Lord  Stirling, 
an  English  officer  who  was  made  a  briga- 
dier-general in  the  American  army.  Stir- 
ling's brigade  took  an  active  part  in  the 
battle  of  Long  Island,  serving  under  Gen- 


eral Sullivan,  connuanding  the  left  wing  of 
Washington's  army.  There  are  no  minute 
details  of  the  part  taken  by  Captain  Al- 
bright's company  of  York  County  troops  in 
this  famous  Ijattle.  The  report  of  Miles,  in 
whose  regiment  Captain  Albright  served, 
will  be  found  interesting. 

"On  the  landing  of  the  British  army  on 
Long  Island,  I  was  ordered  with  my  rifle 
regiment  to  watch  their  motions.  I  marched 
near  to  the  village  of  Flat  Bush,  where  the 
Highlanders  then  lay,  but  they  moved  the 
next  day  to  General  Howe's  camp,  and  their 
place  was  supplied  by  the  Hessians.  I  lay 
there  within  cannon  shot  of  the  Hessian 
camp  for  four  days  without  receiving  orders 
from  General  Sullivan.  I  was  stationed 
directly  in  front  of  the  village  of  Flat  Bush, 
but  on  the  left  of  the  road  leading  to  New 
Y^ork,  where  the  Hessians  were  encamped. 
The  main  body  of  the  enemy,  under  the  im- 
mediate command  of  General  Howe,  lay 
about  two  miles  to  my  left,  and  General 
Grant,  with  another  body  of  British  troops, 
lay  about  four  miles  to  my  right.  There 
were  several  small  bodies  of  Americans  dis- 
persed to  my  right  but  not  a  man  to  my  left, 
although  the  main  body  of  the  enemy  lay  to 
my  left.  This  was  our  situation  on  the  26th 
of  August.  About  I  o'clock  at  night  Grant 
on  the  right  and  Howe  on  the  left,  began 
their  march,  atid  by  daylight  Grant  had  got 
within  a  mile  of  our  entrenchments,  and 
Howe  had  got  into  the  Jamaica  Road,  about 
two  miles  from  our  lines.  The  Hessians 
kept  their  position  until  7  in  the  morning. 
As  soon  as  they  moved  the  firing  began  at 
our  redoubt.  I  immediately  marched  to- 
wards the  firing,  but  had  not  proceeded 
more  than  one  or  two  hundred  yards  when 
I  was  stopped  by  Colonel  Willey,  who  told 
me  that  I  could  not  pass  on ;  that  we  were 
to  defend  a  road  that  led  from  Flat  Bush 
road  to  the  Jamaica  road. 

"I  made  a  retrograde  march,  a  distance 
of  nearly  two  miles  through  woods  within 
sight  of  the  Jamaica  road,  and  to  my  great 
mortification  saw  the  main  body  of  the 
enemy  in  full  march  between  me  and  our 
lines,  and  the  baggage  guard  just  coming 
into  the  road.  I  had  then  only  the  first  bat- 
talion with  me.  The  second  was  some 
distance  to  the  rear,  and  I  directed  Major 
Williams,  who  was  on  horseback,  to  return 
and  order  Lieutenant-Colonel  Brodhead,  of 


I7-'  HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUNTY,    PEXXSVLVAXIA 

my  regiment,  to  pusli  on  b_\-  tlie  left  of  tlie  Colonel  Miles"  regiment,  when  organized, 
enemy  and  endeavor  to  get  into  our  lines  had  i.ooo  men.  rank  and  file.  Of  this  num- 
that  way.  They  succeeded,  but  liad  to  wade  her  650  entered  the  battle  of  Long  Island, 
a  mill  dam.  in  which  a  few  were  drowned,  in  which  about  50  were  killed  and  wounded 
I  returned  to  the  battalion  and  called  a  and  159  taken  prisoners.  Captain  Albright's 
council  of  the  oi^cers  and  laid  three  propo-  company  lost  in  this  engagement  in  killed, 
sitions  before  them ;  first,  to  attack  the  bag-  wounded  and  prisoners,  three  sergeants  and 
gage  guard,  endeavor  to  cut  our  way  twenty-seven  privates.  The  responsible 
through  them,  proceed  to  Hell  Gate  and  position  held  by  Miles  in  this  battle  is  shown 
then  cross  the  sound ;  second,  to  lay  where  in  the  report  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Brod- 
\ve  were  until  the  whole  had  passed  us  and  head,  of  the  regiment.  On  September  5, 
then  proceed  to  Hell  Gate;  or  third,  to  en-  1776,  he  wrote:  "Xo  troops  could  have  be- 
deavor  to  force  our  way  through  the  haved  better  than  ours  in  this  battle,  for, 
enemy's  flank  guards  into  our  line  at  though  the\-  seldom  engaged  less  than  fi\-e 
Brooklyn.  to  one,  they  frequently  repulsed  the  enemy 
"The  third  pro])osition  was  with  great  slaughter,  and  I  am  confident 
Colonel  adopted,  and  we  immediately  that  the  number  Icilled  and  wounded  on 
Miles  a  began  our  march,  but  had  not  their  side  is  greater  than  ours,  notwith- 
Prisoner.  proceeded  more  than  half  a  mile  standing  we  had  to  fight  them  front  and  rear 
until  we  fell  in  with  a  body  of  imder  every  disadvantage.  I  understand 
seven  or  eight  hundred  light  infantry,  which  that  General  Sullixan  has  taken  the  liberty 
we  attacked  without  hesitation.  Tlieir  to  charge  our  bra\e  and  good  Colonel  Miles 
superiority  of  numbers  encouraged  them  to  with  the  ill  success  of  the  day,  but  gi\'e  me 
march  up  with  their  bayonets,  which  we  lea\e  to  say,  that  if  General  Sulli\'an  and  the 
could  not  withstand,  having  none  ourselves,  rest  of  the  generals  on  Long  Island  had 
I  therefore  oi'dered  the  troops  to  push  on  been  as  \ig'ilant  and  prudent  as  he.  we 
toward  our  lines.  I  remained  on  the  might  and  in  all  probability  would  ha\e  cut 
grounds  myself  until  they  had  all  passed  me.  oft  Clinton's  lirigade:  our  officers  and  men 
the  enemy  being  then  within  less  than  in  general,  considering  the  confusion,  be- 
twenty  yards  of  us.  and  by  this  means  I  haved  as  well  as  men  could  do — a  few  lie- 
came  into  the  rear  instead  of  the  front  of  haved  badly.  Our  men  are  getting  very 
my  command.  ^^'e  had  proceeded  but  a  sickly  for  want  of  blankets  and  clothing, 
short  distance  before  we  were  again  en-  ha\-ing  thrown  away  those  the}-  had  in  the 
gaged  with  a  superior  force  of  the  enemy,  engagement,  which  I  fear  they  cannot  be 
and  here  we  lost  a  number  of  men,  but  took  furnished  here." 

Major  Moncrieffe,  their  commanding  of-  In  this  battle  Miles'  regiment  and  Atlee's 
ficer,  prisoner.  Finding  that  the  enemv  had  battalion  suli'ered  so  severely  that  General 
possession  of  the  ground  between  us  and  Washington  ordered  the  three  liattalions  to 
our  lines,  and  that  it  was  impossible  for  us  be  considered  as  a  regiment  under  the  com- 
to  cut  our  way  through  as  a  l)ody,  I  directed  mand  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Brodhead  until 
the  men  to  make  the  best  of  tlieir  way  as  further  orders.  Both  these  commands  had 
well  as  they  could.  Some  few  got  in  safe,  enlisted  for  fifteen  months  to  defend  the 
but  there  were  159  taken  prisoners.  I  my-  state  of  Pennsyhania.  As  they  were  now 
self  was  entirely  cut  off  from  our  lines  and  with  the  American  army  in  another  state, 
therefore  endeavored  to  conceal  myself,  Colonel  Brodhead  petitioned  the  State 
with  a  few  men  wdio  would  not  leave  me.  I  Legislature  at  this  time  to  know  their 
hoped  to  remain  until  night,  when  I  in-  military  relations,  whereupon  both  com- 
tended  to  try  to  get  to  Hell  Gate  and  cross  mands  were  turned  over  to  the  authority  of 
the  sound ;  but  about  3  o'clock  in  the  after-  Congress.  On  September  19  the  three  bat- 
noon  was  discovered  by  a  party  of  Hessians  talions  mutinied  and  appeared  on  jiarade 
and  obliged  to  surrender — thus  ended  the  under  arms.  After  this  two  hundretl  men 
career  of  that  day."  Lieutenant  William  deserted,  about  thirty  of  them  were  kept 
AlcPherson.  of  Alljright's  company,  became  back  1)y  fnrce.  Those  who  deserted  gave  as 
a  ]>risoner  of  war  and  was  held  by  the  a  reason  a  lack  of  sufticient  clothing, 
British  for  more  than  a  year.  blankets,   rations   and  pay.   but   the   records 


THE    REVOLUTIOX 


173 


Re-organi- 
zation. 


seem  to  show  thai  they  had  ah^cady  Ijcen 
jiaid  in  continental  money,  which  had 
greatly  depreciated.  Meantime,  however,  a 
supply  of  clothing  had  been  sent  from 
Philadelphia. 

(Jn  Octolier  3.  Captain  Al- 
bright had  in  his  company 
three  sergeants,  one  drummer 
and  forty-six  i)rivates.  On  the 
same  day  the  Pennsylvania  Council  of 
Safety  ordered  a  re-arrangement  of  the 
three  battalions,  and  on  the  25th  of  the 
same  month,  ten  of  the  companies  of  the 
battalion  ceased  to  exist  l)y  being  consoli- 
dated with  others.  On  the  same  day  Cap- 
tain Albright's  company  and  six  others 
were  ordered  to  retain  their  captains. 
These  and  the  remnants  of  the  other  bat- 
talions of  the  state  troops  followed  the 
fortunes  of  the  Continental  army.  Part  of 
the  regiment  under  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Brodhead  was  present  at  the  battle  of  Fort 
\\'ashington.  November  16.  The  remainder 
of  the  regiment  accompanied  Washington 
in  the  retreat  across  New  Jersey  and  took 
part  in  the  battles  of  Trenton  and  Princeton. 
Late  in  the  year  1776  a  dif^culty  arose 
between  Major  Williams,  of  Miles'  regi- 
ment, and  Captain  Philip  Albright.  The 
major  had  made  himself  obnoxious  in  many 
ways  to  the  subordinate  officers,  with  whom 
he  was  not  popular.  Both  Williams  and  Al- 
bright explained  their  differences  to  the 
Council  of  Safety  of  Pennsylvania,  but  the 
matter  was  never  satisfactorily  adjusted, 
and  Captain  Albright  resigned  his  commis- 
sion on  January  2;^.  1777. 

The  following  is  the  roll  of  Captain  Philip 
Albright's  company  after  the  battle  of  Long 
Island,  taken  in  camp  near 
N.  v..  September  i,  1776: 


King's  Bridgfe, 


Captain. 

Albright,  Philip. 

First  Lieutenants, 

Thomson,  John. 

Sheriff.  Cornelius. 

Second  Lieutcniint. 
McPher.son.  William. 

Third    Licutcndnt. 
Stake,  Jacob. 

Sergeants, 
Wilson.  Thomas. 
Tate.  Robert. 
Willey,  James. 
Geddes,  James. 


Quartermaster  Sergeant, 
Lytle,  Andrew. 

Drummer, 

Harden.  John. 

Privates, 


Awl.  John, 
liarron.   Robert. 
Beltzhover,  Ludwig. 
Boned,  .Andrew. 
Boyd.   .Mexandcr. 
Branon,  William. 
Brown.  John. 
Burk.  Michael. 
Bushani.  Jacob. 
Carlton.   Edward. 
Conrad.  George. 
Croan,  Henry. 
Crookham.   John. 
Cuxel.  James. 
Diiffield,  Rachford. 
Ferril.  Hugh. 
Fink.  Michael. 
Foster,  Thomas. 
Glen,   Patrick. 
Gobin.  Hugh. 
Gordan.  James. 
Grearley,  John. 
Gregg.  John. 
Gregg.  Robert. 
Helm.  George. 
Helsley,  Jacob. 
Hendry,  John. 
Hollan,  William. 
Hudson,  John. 
Hutchinson,  James. 
Jacobs.  Johnathan. 
James.  William. 
Kennedy,  Philip. 
Kilean,  Michael. 
Kilpatrick,  Robert. 
Kilpatrick,  William. 
Knee  (Karee).  Thomas. 


Lead,  Connid. 
Lcavingston,  Jacob. 
Lutes,  John.      — 
Malseed,  Samuel. 
McBroom.  Henry. 
McCay,  James. 
McClughan,   Hugh. 
McCown,   Daniel. 
McCown,   Patrick. 
McElnay,  John. 
McFarlane,  James. 
McGinish.  Patt. 
McGuire,  Bartholomew. 
McNeal,  Daniel. 
Morrison.  James. 
Myer.  Joseph. 
Newman.  Jacob. 
Reed.  Hugh. 
Rinehart.  John. 
Rubart.  Adam. 
Ryan,  Christian. 
Ryan.  Michael. 
Shadow.  Henry. 
Smith,  John. 
Spangler.  Charles. 
Stockdel,  Torrence. 
Stuart,  David. 
Stump.  Charles. 
Sturgeon,  Robert. 
Swartz.  John. 
Trine,  George. 
Wampler.   George. 
Wells.  Edward.  ^ 
Welshance.  William. 
Williams.  Thomas. 
Woods,  Samuel. 


CAPTAIN  PHILIP  ALBRIGHT  was  a 
descendant  of  George  Albright,  who  left  the 
German  Palatinate  and  arriving  in  this 
country  settled  in  Philadelphia,  and  engaged 
in  commercial  pursuits.  He  remained  in 
that  city  until  1740,  when  he  moved  to  York, 
then  a  part  of  Lancaster  County,  in  which 
county  he  had  a  number  of  \aluable  planta- 
tions. 

Captain  Albright  was  the  youngest  of 
three  sons  of  George  Albright,  and  received 
his  education  at  York  in  the  school  main- 
tained by  the  German  Lutheran  Church. 
Endowed  with  the  usual  German  thrift,  he 
w'as  able  to  save  enough  in  succeeding  years 
to  purchase  the  estate  of  the  Rankin  family. 
This  property  was  situated  on  the  Codorus 
about  two  miles  below  York,  and  consisted 
of  a  large  flouring  mill  and  plantation. 
Philip  Albright  made  his  home  upon  his 
newlv  purchased  plantation,  having  some 
years  previous  married  Anna  Maria  Ursula, 


174 


HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUXTY.    PEXXSYLVAXIA 


daugliter  of  Johann  Daniel  Duenckle.  a 
German  refugee  and  aristocrat. 

When  the  tension  with  Great  Britain  be- 
came keen,  there  was  no  more  enthusiastic 
partisan  of  colonial  independence  than 
Philip  Albright,  and  when  the  preliminary 
steps  were  taken  looking  to  tlie  achievement 
of  that  end,  he  was  chosen  a  member  of  the 
Committee  of  Observation,  formed  at  York, 
December  i6,  1774.  On  March  19,  1776,  he 
was  appointed  captain  of  the  First  Battalion 
of  the  Pennsylvania  regiment  under  the 
command  of  Colonel  Samuel  Miles.  He  fol- 
lowed the  fortunes  of  this  regiment  under 
Washington  at  the  battle  of  Long  Island 
and  other  engagements  around  Xew  York 
and  in  the  Jersey  campaign,  during  the 
winter  of  1776-7.  As  a  result  of  difficulties 
with  Major  Ennion  Williams,  Captain  Al- 
bright resigned  his  command  on  January 
-3'  '^777-  H^is  retirement  to  private  life, 
however,  was  of  short  duration,  for  on  April 
5,  1778,  while  Continental  Congress  was  in 
session  at  York,  he  was  commissioned 
lieutenant-colonel  of  the  Third  Battalion  of 
York  County  Militia,  David  Jameson,  colo- 
nel. Five  days  after  the  date  of  his  com- 
mission, the  Ijattalion  was  ordered  out  to 
guard  the  frontier  against  hostile  Indians, 
who  had  committed  depredations  in  the 
Wyoming  Valley,  and  in  central  and  west- 
ern Pennsydvania. 

At  the  close  of  the  war,  Philip  Albright 
returned  to  his  family,  with  whom  he  lived 
in  considerable  state  and  was  highly  es- 
teemed by  his  fellows.  In  1797.  he  lost  his 
wife.  The  same  year,  in  recognition  of  his 
services  to  his  country,  he  was  elected  to 
the  State  Legislature  from  York  County, 
and  served  two  years.  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Albright  died  April  2,  1800,  "a  warm  friend 
of  his  country,"  leaving  a  large  estate,  and 
survived  by  two  sons  and  four  daughters. 
One  of  his  daughters  married  George  Small, 
father  of  Philip  A.  and  Samuel,  founders  of 
the  f^rm  of  P.  A.  &  S.  Small. 

LIEUTEXANT  WILLIAM  McPHER- 
SON,  who  was  captured  in  the  battle 
of  Long  Island,  was  a  son  of  Robert 
McPherson,  who  served  as  a  captain  in 
the  French  and  Indian  war,  and  com- 
manded a  battalion  of  York  County 
militia  in  the  Revolution.  He  was  born 
near  the  site  of  Gettysburg,  December  2, 
1757,  and  at  the  age  of  19  aided  in  recruit- 


ing Albright's  company,  of  which  he  became 
second  lieutenant.  During  the  hottest  of 
the  fighting  in  the  battle  of  Long  Island. 
Lieutenant  McPherson  fell  into  the  hands 
of  the  enemy  and  was  held  a  prisoner  of  war 
njear  Xew  York  city  for  one  year.  After  the 
war  he  l)ecame  a  prominent  and  influential 
citizen  of  the  ]\Iarsh  Creek  country.  He 
represented  York  County  in  the  State 
Legislature  from  1790  to  1799.  except  in 
1793.  During  the  last  year  he  served  in  the 
Legislature,  he  secured  the  passage  of  a  bill 
to  divide  York  County,  and  organize  the 
new  county  of  Adams,  which  was  accom- 
plished in  1800.  He  died  at  Getty slnirg, 
August  2.  1832,  at  the  age  of  seventy-five 
years.  Lieutenant  McPherson  was  twice 
married,  first  in  1780,  to  Mary  Garick,  of 
Frederick  County,  Maryland,  and  second  in 
1793,  to  Sara  Reynolds,  of  Shippensl)urg. 
He  was  the  father  of  fourteen  children. 
John  B.  McPherson,  one  of  his  sons,  was 
forty-five  years  cashier  of  the  Gettysburg" 
bank,  the  oldest  financial  institution  in  the 
county.  Hon.  Edward  McPherson,  son  of 
John  B.  McPherson,  was  born  in  1831  and 
died  in  1895.  He  was  a  representative  in 
the  Thirty-sixth  and  Thirty-seventh  Con- 
gresses, and  sixteen  years  clerk  of  the 
national  House  of  Representatives. 

THE  FIRST  PENNSYLVANIA 
REGIMENT. 

The  First  Pennsylvania  Regiment  was 
organized  in  the  field  at  the  headquarters 
of  the  army  at  Long  Island,  July  11,  1776. 
Most  of  the  membership  was  composed  of 
re-enlisted  men  who  had  previously  served 
one  year  in  Thompson's  battalion.  The 
new  regiment  was  placed  in  the  command 
of  Col.  Edward  Hand,  of  Lancaster,  with 
Benjamin  Chambers,  of  Franklin  County,  as 
lieutenant-colonel,  and  Rev.  Samuel  Blair, 
chaplain.  Owing  to  a  controversy  James 
Ross  was  not  appointed  major  until  three 
months  afterward.  When  the  regiment  was 
organized,  the  nine  companies  were  com- 
manded respectively  by  Henry  Miller,  Mat- 
thew Smith,  Robert  Cluggage,  James  Ross, 
Charles  Craig,  James  Grier,  David  Harris, 
James  Parr  and  James  Hamilton.  The  two 
companies  which  had  accompanied  Arnold's 
expedition  to  Canada  had  returned  in  time 
to  join  the  regiment  when  it  was  organ- 
ized. 


THE    REVOLUTION 


175 


This  regiment  now  entered  upon 
Under  a  career  of  drill  and  discipline 
Sullivan  preparing  for  a  contest  with  the 
at  Long  British,  which  was  expected  to 
Island.  come  soon  after  their  arrival  at 
Long  Island.  General  Sullivan, 
under  whom  Thompson's  battalion  had 
served  in  front  of  Boston,  liad  now  returned 
from  the  ex])edition  to  Canada  and  Captain 
Miller's  company  from  York,  with  the  I'irst 
Pennsylvania  Regiment,  was  again  placed  in 
Sullivan's  command  on  Long  Island.  Gen- 
eral Howe  arrived  with  25,000  troops  at  the 
entrance  of  Xew  York  harbor  early  in 
August,  and  was  accompanied  by  his 
brother.  Admiral  Lord  Howe,  with  a  resist- 
less fleet.  The  .\merican  army  untler 
^\'ashington  numbered  less  than  10.000. 
General  Israel  Putnam  commanded  5.000 
troops  at  Brooklyn  Heights  and  Sullivan, 
under  whom  the  York  soldiers  were  serving, 
had  4,000  men  guarding  the  roads  on  Long 
Island.  August  2^.  Howe,  with  20.000 
troops,  attacked  Sullivan.  \\'ith  his  great 
superiority  of  force  he  was  able  to  surround 
the  Americans  and  take  more  than  1,000 
prisoners,  including  General  Sullivan.  Had 
Howe  attacked  the  works  on  Brooklyn 
Heights  he  would  probably  have  met  with  a 
bloody  defeat;  but  Bunker  Hill  had  taught 
him  a  lesson  and  he  determined  to  besiege 
the  place  instead  of  assaulting  it.  When 
Washington  perceived  this  intention  he 
withdrew  the  army,  taking  it  across  the 
East  River  one  dark,  foggy  night  in  such 
boats  and  scows  as  he  could  collect.  This 
skillful  retreat  under  the  very  nose  of  the 
enemy  was  a  wonderful  achievement. 

In  the  battle  of  Long  Island  Hand's  regi- 
ment took  a  conspicuous  part.  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Chambers,  of  this  regiment,  in  de- 
scribing the  engagement  wrote  as  follows : 
"On  the  morning  of  August  22  there  were 
nine  thousand  troops  approaching  us  on 
New  Utrecht  plains.  The  guard  alarmed 
our  small  camp  and  we  assembled  at  the  flag 
staff.  We  found  our  forces  too  small  to 
attack  the  enemy  on  the  plain.  .\  detach- 
ment of  the  regiment  under  the  command  of 
Captain  Miller,  of  York,  follo\ved  the  enemy 
with  the  design  to  decoy  a  portion  of  them 
to  follow  him.  The  remainder  of  our  regi- 
ment was  stationed  along  the  woods  near 
Captain  Mille-'s  detachment,  which  had 
moved     to     a     point    200    yards    from    the 


British.  lUit  they  decided  not  to  attack 
him.  Captain  Miller  then  returned  to  the 
regiment,  which  moved  along  the  enemy's 
flank.  Our  men  now  fired  and  killed  several 
Hessians.  Strong  guards  were  maintained 
all  day  on  the  flanks  of  the  enemy  and  our 
regiment  and  the  Hessians  kept  up  a  severe 
firing  with  a  loss  of  but  two  wounded  on  our 
side.  We  laid  a  few  Hessians  low  and  made 
them  retreat  out  of  Flat  Bush.  Our  men 
went  into  the  town  and  brought  the  goods 
out  of  the  burning  houses. 

"The  enemy  nearly  lost  their  field  pieces. 
We  could  certainly  have  taken  the  cannon 
had  it  not  been  for  some  foolish  person 
calling  retreat.  The  main  body  of  the  foe 
returned  to  the  town  and  when  our  men 
came  back  to  camp  they  told  of  their  ex- 
ploits. Their  stories  were  doubted  by  some, 
which  enraged  our  men  so  that  a  few  of 
them  ran  and  brought  away  several  Hes- 
sians on  their  backs.  This  kind  of  firing  by 
our  riflemen  and  theirs  continued  until  2 
o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  26th.  when  our 
regiment  was  relieved  by  a  portion  of  the 
Flying  Camp,  and  we  started  for  Fort 
Greene  to  get  refreshment,  not  having  lain 
down  the  whole  of  this  time  and  almost 
dead  with  fatigue.  We  just  reached  the  fort 
when  the  alarm  guns  were  fired.  We  were 
compelled  to  return  to  the  lines,  and,  as 
soon  as  it  was  light,  saw  our  men  and  theirs 
engaged  with  field  pieces. 

"At    last    the   enemy   surrounded 
A  our   advance    guard,   and   then    a 

Spirited  heavy  firing  continued  for  several 
Contest,  hours.  The  main  body  that  sur- 
rounded our  men  marched  within 
thirty  yards  of  Forts  Brown  and  Greene; 
but  when  we  fired  they  retreated  with  loss. 
Our  men  behaved  as  bravely  as  ever  men 
did,  but  it  is  surprising  that  with  the  superi- 
ority of  the  enemy  our  men  were  not  cut  to 
pieces.  They  behaved  gallantly,  and  there 
are  but  fi\e  or  si.x  hundred  missing  of  the 
2.500  comprising  our  brig'ade. 

"General  Lord  Stirling  fought  like  a  wolf 
and  was  taken  prisoner.  Colonels  Miles  and 
.\tlee.  Major  Burd,  Captain  Peebles,  Lieu- 
tenant Watt,  and  a  great  number  of  other 
otiicers  are  also  prisoners.  Colonel  Piper  is 
missing.  From  deserters  we  learn  that  the 
enemy  lost  Major  General  Grant  and  two 
brigadiers  and  many  others,  and  five  hun- 
dred killed.   Our  loss  is  chiefly  in  prisoners." 


J  76 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


Colonel  Hand,  in  his  report  of  the  retreat 
after  the  battle  of  Long  Island,  said:  "W  hen 
it  \vas  determined  to  exaeuate  Long  Island. 
General  AlifBin.  of  Pennsylvania,  told  me 
that  Washington  had  honored  him  with  the 
command  of  the  covering  party  and  that  our 
regiment  was  to  be  emploj'ed  in  that  ser- 
vice. He  then  assigned  us  our  se\'eral  sta- 
tions which  we  were  to  occupy  as  soon  as  it 
was  dark  and  pointed  out  Brooklyn  Church 
as  an  alarm  post  to  which  the  whole  force 
was  to  repair  and  unitetlly  oppose  the 
enemy  in  case  they  discovered  our  move- 
ments and  made  an  attack  in  consequence. 
My  regiment  was  posted  in  a  redoubt  on 
the  left  and  in  the  lines  on  the  right  of  the 
great  road  below  Brooklyn  Church.  Cap- 
tain Henry  iMiller  commanded  in  the  re- 
doubt." 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Chambers  wrote: 
"The  Pennsylvania  troops  received  great 
honor  l)y  being  chosen  corps  de  reserve  to 
cover  the  retreat.  The  regiments  of 
Colonels  Hand,  Morgan,  Shea  and  Hazlett 
were  detailed  for  that  purpose.  We  kept  up 
camp  fires  with  the  outposts  stationed  until 
all  the  rest  were  over.  We  left  the  lines 
after  it  was  fair  day  and  then  came  off. 
Never  was  a  greater  feat  of  generalship 
shown  than  in  this  retreat — to  bring  of¥  an 
army  of  twelve  thousand  men  within  sight 
of  a  strong  enemy,  supported  by  as  strong  a 
fleet  as  ever  floated  our  seas.  We  saved  all 
our  baggage.  General  Washington  saw  the 
last  troop  cross  o\'er.'" 

^Vriting  to  his  wife.  Captain 
Captain  Miller  states:  "Today,  August  4, 
Henry  my  company  was  reviewed  by 
Miller's  General  Washington,  but  owing 
Account,  to  the  heavy  cannonading  up  the 
river  his  stay  was  very  short." 
Again,  on  the  31st  of  the  same  month:  "As 
our  regiments  were  sent  only  as  an  advance 
guard  to  watch  the  movements  of  the 
enemy  and  not  for  the  purpose  of  making  a 
stand  where  they  did,  and  as  they  were 
brought  into  action  by  the  great  spirit 
which  prevailed  among  the  Pennsylvania, 
Maryland  and  lower  country  troops,  the 
result  of  the  battle  could  not  be  ])roperly 
called  a  defeat.  \\'e  forced  the  enemy  to 
retreat  three  different  times  from  their  ad- 
vanced posts,  and  their  loss  was  greater 
than  our  ow'n.  The  retreat  was  conducted 
in  such  a  manner  as  would  do  honor  to  the 


most  experienced  generals  and  army  in  the 
world :  for  it  entirely  disconcerted  the  de- 
signs of  the  enemy  to  surround  us.  I  had 
the  honor  to  be  in  the  rear  guard:  the  sun 
was  up  before  I  left  the  island.  Governor's 
Island  was  given  up  yesterday.  \\'e  shall 
leave  New  York  in  a  few  days,  for  this 
place  is  too  advantageously  situated  for  the 
enemy,  and  the  possession  of  it  will  not 
afford  them  an  easy  access  to  the  back 
country." 

A  contemporary  writer  states  this  addi- 
tional fact:  "Captain  Miller,  in  this  retreat, 
was  the  last  man  to  enter  the  boat,  and  that, 
when  they  were  pushed  off  and  were  sup- 
posed to  be  out  of  danger,  a  heavy  fog  hung 
over  them.  He  stood  up,  hat  in  hand,  and 
gave  three  hearty  cheers.  This  brought  on 
them  a  heavy  volley  of  musketry." 

After  Washington  had  crossed  into  New 
York  city  from  Long  Island,  he  placed  his 
army  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Hudson  in  the 
vicinity  of  White  Plains.  He  abandoned 
everything  on  Manhattan  Island  except 
Fort  W^ashington.  To  defend  this  strategic 
point  he  sent  a  body  of  nearly  two  thousand 
troops  in  command  of  Colonel  Robert  Mc- 
Gaw,  of  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania.  This  officer 
had  been  major  of  Thompson's  riflemen, 
which  had  marched  from  southern  Pennsyl- 
vania to  Boston  at  the  opening  of  the  war. 
Colonel  McGaw  had  won  distinction  for 
gallantry  at  Long  Island  and  had  merited 
the  promotion  he  received  upon  the  recom- 
mentlation  of  the  commander-in-chief. 
While  presenting  a  front  parallel  to  that  of 
Howe,  frecjuent  skirmishes  occurred  in 
which  the  Americans  were  entirely  success- 
ful. 

Hand's   riflemen     followed    the 

Hand's        fortunes     of    the     army     under 

Regiment     Washington   on   the   east   bank 

in  New       of  the  Hudson.     On  October  12 

York.  Colonel  Hand  and  his  riflemen 
assisted  by  Colonel  Prescott,  of 
Bunker  Hill  fame,  checked  the  advance  of 
the  British  at  Pell's  Neck,  immediately  after 
they  had  landed  from  Long  Island.  Octo- 
ber 23  Colonel  Hand  attacked  two  hundred 
and  forty  Hessian  chasseurs  near  East 
Chester  and  routed  them.  In  both  these 
skirmishes  Captain  Miller  and  his  York 
Count}'  men  took  a  conspicuous  part. 

At  this  juncture  General  Greene,  with  a 
small  force,  garrisoned  Fort  Lee,  upon  the 


THE    RE\'OLl"l'IOX 


1/7 


Palisades  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Hudson, 
nearly  opposite  Fort  Washington.  Sulli- 
van, Stirling  and  Morgan,  who  had  been 
captured  at  the  battle  of  Long  Island  in 
August,  now  rejoined  the  army  after  being- 
exchanged.  General  Charles  Lee  arrived 
from  South  Carolina  and  was  placed  second 
in  command  of  the  .\nierican  army  around 
iSew  York.  Washington  had  taken  up  his 
headquarters  at  White  Plains,  where  both 
armies  were  concentrating.  The  Americans 
were  placed  in  four  divisions  commanded 
respectively  by  Lee,  Heatli,  Sullivan  and 
Lincoln.  On  October  28  Howe  attacked 
Washington  at  White  Plains,  where  he  lost 
two  hundred  and  twent3'-nine  men. 

\\'ashington  now  moved  up  the  river  and 
soon  after  had  five  thousand  of  his  men 
under  Putnam  cross  to  the  west  side  of  the 
Hudson  into  New  Jersey  at  Hackensack. 
He  sent  Heath  up  to  Peekskill  with  three 
thousand  men  to  guard  the  entrance  to  the 
Highlands,  and  left  Lee  at  North  Castle 
with  seven  thousand  men.  The  enemy 
greatly  outnumbered  A\'ashington  at  this 
time.  His  entire  army  was  credited  with 
nineteen  thousand  men,  but  the  term  of 
service  of  many  of  them  had  expired,  so  that 
his  entire  army  did  not  exceed  twelve 
thousand  efificient  men  to  oppose  twenty- 
five  thousand  trained  British  and  Hessian 
soldiers.  At  a  council  of  war  now  held  with 
his  generals,  W'ashington  decided  to  retreat 
across  New  Jersey,  but  Congress  desired 
that  he  should  continue  to  hold  Forts 
Washington  and  Lee.  The  officious  inter- 
ference of  Congress,  an  error  of  judgment 
on  the  part  of  Greene,  and  the  insubordina- 
tion of  Lee,  occurring  altogether  at  the 
critical  moment  brought  about  the  greatest 
disaster  of  the  war  and  came  within  an  ace 
of  overwhelming  the  American  cause  in 
total  and  irretrievable  ruin.  The  story  of 
the  disaster  of  Fort  Washington,  where 
York  County  lost  at  least  six  hundred 
ofificers  and  men,  is  told  in  the  succeeding 
pages  of  this  work  in  an  article  relating  to 
the  Flying  Camp. 


CHAPTER- Xni 

REVOLUTION— Continued. 

The  Flying  Camp — York  County  Regi- 
ments— Battle  of  Fort  Washington — 
Washington's  Retreat  and  Victory  at 
Trenton — Battle  of  Princeton. 

In  June,  1776,  after  the  British  under 
General  Howe  had  evacuated  Boston 
and  were  about  to  threaten  New 
York,  Continental  Congress  issued  a 
call  for  troops  to  join  Washington's 
army.  These  troops,  10,000  in  num- 
ber, were  to  be  enlisted  for  a  term  of 
six  months  from  the  organized  militia  in 
Pennsylvania,  Maryland  and  Delaware. 
Colonel  Miles"  Rifle  Regiment  and  Colonel 
Atlee's  Battalion  of  Musketry,  state  troops 
already  in  the  field,  in  all  1500  men,  were  to 
be  accredited  as  part  of  the  quota  from 
Pennsylvania,  which  was  expected  to  raise 
6000  men.  Maryland  was  to  furnish  3400 
and  Delaware  600.  This  body  of  troops 
after  enlistment  and  organization  became 
known  as  the  Flying  Camp.  By  request  of 
Washington,  his  personal  friend.  General 
Hugh  Mercer,  a  physician  by  profession  and 
a  soldier  by  instinct,  was  selected  as  com- 
mander with  the  rank  of  brigadier-general. 

General  fiercer  was  a  nati\e  of 
General  Scotland,  and  in  1747,  settled  in 
Mercer.  Franklin  County,  Pennsylvania, 
at  the  site  of  Mercersburg,  where 
he  practiced  medicine  among  his  Scotch- 
Irish  neighbors.  He  had  served  with  dis- 
tinction in  the  French  and  Indian  war  under 
Braddock.  being  severely  wounded  in  the 
shoulder  at  Monongahela,  and  received  a 
medal  from  the  city  of  Philadelphia  for  his 
bravery  in  this  expedition.  In  1758,  he 
commanded  a  regiment  under  General 
Forbes  against  the  Indians  at  Fort  Du- 
quesne.  After  the  close  of  the  French  and 
Indian  war,  he  practiced  his  profession  at 
Fredericksburg,  Virginia,  where  he  became 
a  close  and  intimate  friend  of  Washington. 

The  enlisted  men  of  the  Flying  Camp 
under  the  act  of  Congress,  were  required  to 
furnish  their  own  arms,  blankets,  haversacks 
and  knapsacks.  Men.  unable  to  furnish 
their  own  muskets,  were  to  be  supplied  with 
arms  which  had  been  made  by  order  of  the 
Assembly  for  the  use  of  the  militia.  The 
Pennsylvania  Assembly  adjourned  in  June, 


12 


178 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY,    PEXXSYLVANIA 


1776,  witliout  completing  arrangements  for 
the  organization  of  troops  for  the  Flying 
Camp.  The  Pennsylvania  Conference, 
composed  of  representatives  from  the  com- 
mittees of  safety  in  the  dififerent  counties, 
met  in  Philadelphia  during  the  latter  part 
of  June.  This  conference  considered  itself 
the  only  representative  body  in  Pennsyl- 
vania and  made  immediate  provisions  for 
the  enlistment  of  as  many  as  possible  of  the 
4500  men  intended  for  the  Flying  Camp. 
The  conference  appointed  a  committee  of 
twelve  men  representing  the  different  coun- 
ties of  Pennsylvania  to  devise  ways  and 
means  for  raising  the  4500  men,  and  to  in- 
quire into  all  matters  necessary  for  sending 
them  to  the  army. 

In  the  apportionment  Philadelphia  city 
and  county  was  to  furnish  956  men ;  Bucks 
County,  400  men ;  Chester  County,  652 ; 
Berks,  666;  Northampton,  346;  Cumberland, 
334;  Lancaster,  746;  York,  400.  Colonel 
Richard  McAllister,  the  founder  of  Han- 
over, then  in  command  of  a  battalion  of 
militia,  was  a  representative  from  York 
County  on  this  committee.  The  Pennsyl- 
vania Conference  appointed  Colonel  James 
Smith,  Dr.  Benjamin  Rush  and  John  Bayard 
to  prepare  a  draft  of  an  address  to  the  As- 
sociators.  James  Smith  was  then  a  prac- 
ticing lawver  at  York  and  commander  of  a 
battalion  of  militia  in  this  county. 

The  address  which   Smith  and 
A  Patriotic     his  associates  prepared  is  sup- 
Appeal,        posed  to  have  been  written  by 

this  ardent  patriot, who  shortly 
after  signed  the  Declaration  of  Independ- 
ence.    The  address  reads  as  follows: 

To  the  Associators  of  Pennsylvania : 

Gentlemen  : — The  only  design  of  our  meeting  to- 
gether was  to  put  an  end  to  our  own  power  in  the 
province,  by  fixing  upon  a  plan  for  calling  a  convention, 
to  form  a  government  under  the  authority  of  the  people. 
But  the  sudden  and  unexpected  separation  of  tlie  late 
assembly,  has  compelled  us  to  undertake  the  execvition 
of  a  resolve  of  Congress,  for  calling  forth  4500  of  the 
militia  of  the  Province,  to  join  the  militia  of  the  neigh- 
boring colonies,  to  form  a  camp  for  our  immediate 
protection.  We  presume  only  to  recornmend  the  plan 
we  have  formed  to  you,  trusting  that  in  a  case  of  so 
much  consequence,  your  love  of  virtue  and  zeal  for 
liberty  will  supply  the  want  of  authority  delegated  to 
us  expressly  for  that  purpo.se. 

We  need  not  remind  you  that  you  are  now  furnished 
with  new  motives  to  animate  and  support  your  courage. 
You  are  now  about  to  contend  against  the  power  of 
Great  Britain,  in  order  to  displace  one  set  of  villains  to 
make  room  for  another.  Your  arms  will  not  be  ener- 
vated in  the  day  of  battle  with  the  reflection,  that  you 
are  to  risk  vour  lives  or  shed  your  blood  for  a  British 


tyrant ;  or  that  your  posterity  will  have  your  work  to 
do  over  again.  You  are  about  to  contend  for  i)erma- 
ncnt  freedom,  to  be  supported  by  a  government  which 
will  be  derived  from  yourselves,  and  which  will  have 
for  its  object,  not  the  emolument  of  one  man  or  class 
of  men  only,  but  the  safety,  liberty  and  happiness  of 
every  individual  in  the  community.  We  call  upon  you, 
therefore,  by  the  respect  and  obedience  which  are  due 
to  the  authority  of  the  United  Colonies  to  concur  in  this 
important  measure.  The  present  campaign  will  probably 
decide  the  fate  of  America.  It  is  now  in  your  power 
to  immortalize  your  names,  by  mingling  your  achieve- 
ments with  the  events  of  the  year  1776— a  year  which 
we  hope  will  be  famed  in  the  annals  of  history  to  the 
end  of  time,  for  establishing  upon  a  lasting  foundation 
the  liberties  of  one  quarter  of  the  globe. 

Remember  the  honor  of  our  colonies  is  at  stake. 
Should  you  desert  the  common  cause  at  the  present 
juncture,  the  glory  you  have  acquired  by  your  former 
exertions  of  strength  and  virtue,  will  be  tarnished;  and 
our  friends  and  brethren,  who  are  now  acquiring  laurels 
in  the  most  remote  parts  of  America,  will  reproach  us 
and  blush  to  own  themselves  natives  or  inhabitants  of 
Pennsylvania. 

But  there  are  other  motives  before  you.  Your  houses, 
your  fields,  the  legacies  of  your  ancestors,  or  the  dear- 
bought  fruits  of  your  own  industry,  and  your  liberty, 
now  urge  you  to  the  field.  These  cannot  plead  with 
you  in  vain,  or  we  might  point  out  to  you  further,  your 
wives,  your  children,  your  aged  fathers  and  mothers, 
who  now  look  up  to  you  for  aid,  and  hope  for  salvation 
in  this  day  of-  calamity,  only  from  the  instrumentality 
of  your  swords. 

Remember  the  name  of  Pennsylvania.  Think  of  your 
ancestors  and  of  your  posterity. 

Signed  by  the  unanimous  order  of  the  conference, 
Thomas  McKean,  President. 
June  25.   1776. 

The    formation    of    the    Flying 
Elect  Camp,     as    directed    by    Con- 

Brigadiers,  gress,  from  such  of  the  asso- 
ciated battalions  as  volun- 
teered for  the  purpose.  rec[uired  full  organ- 
ization, and  a  meeting  was  called  at  Lan- 
caster, to  which  the  militia  of  the  state  were 
directed  to  send  representatives.  This 
meeting,  composed  of  the  delegates  from 
the  ofiicers  and  privates  of  the  fifty-three 
battalions  of  Associators,  convened  on  the 
memorable  Fourth  of  July,  1776,  for  the 
purpose  of  choosing  two  brigadier-generals. 
Colonel  George  Ross  was  chosen  president 
of  the  meeting,  and  Colonel  David  Clymer, 
secretary.  Colonel  Mark  Burd,  Colonel 
George  Ross  and  Captain  Sharp  Dulaney 
were  appointed  judges  of  the  election.  The 
election  was  held  and  resulted  in  the  choice 
of  Daniel  Roberdeau  and  James  Ewing,  the 
former  having  160  votes  and  the  latter  85. 
Upon  the  announcement  of  this  result,  the 
president  immediately  declared  Daniel  Rob- 
erdeau commander  of  the  First  Brigade  and 
James  Ewing  commander  of  the  Second 
Brigade. 

Daniel    Roberdeau   was    a    native    of   the 


I'lII':   REVOLUTION. 


179 


Island  of  Si.  Christopher,  and  became  a 
prominent  merchant  of  Philadelphia.  In 
1776  he  was  the  colonel  of  a  battalion  of  As- 
sociators.  In  May  of  the  same  year  he  pre- 
sided over  a  public  meeting  at  Philadelphia, 
which  favored  the  Declaration  of  Independ- 
ence. In  that  year  he  owned  a  privateer 
which  captured  a  prize  of  $22,000,  which 
money  he  turned  over  to  the  disposal  of 
Congress.  In  1777  he  was  a  leading  mem- 
ber of  Continental  Congress  at  York. 

James  Ewing  was  a  citizen  of  York 
Count V.  residing  on  his  plantation  in  Hel- 
1am  township,  near  W'rightsville.  He  was 
then  forty  years  of  age.  He  had  served  as 
a  lieutenant  in  Forbes'  expedition  against 
Fort  Duquesne  in  1758.  In  1771-5  he  was 
a  member  of  the  General  Assembly  of  Penn- 
s\dvania,  and  at  the  outl)reak  of  the  Revo- 
lution became  a  member  of  the  Committee 
of  Safety  for  York  County. 

On  July  7,  1776,  the  pastor  of  the 

A  Moravian    Church    at    ^'ork.    made 

Local       the  following  entr}-  in  liis  diary: 
Diary.         "Strict  orders  came  that  all  As- 
sociators    of    this    county    should 
hold   themselves   in  readiness  to   march  to 
the  front.     In  the  following  week  they  left. 

"July  17 — Yorktown  seems  quite  de- 
serted on  account  of  tlie  departure  for  the 
army  of  all  men  under  fifty  years  of  age. 
Our  young 'men  had  to  lea\e  for  Jersey. 
Ernst  Schlosser,  the  three  sons  of  Brothers 
Rothrock,  Brinkman.  John  Seifer's  eldest 
son.  John  Hoenrison.  and.  in  short,  tjie 
most  of  the  others  who  are  under  fifty  years 
of  age,  will  have  to  march  off  in  the  next 
few  days.  Several  of  our  people,  because 
the  town  has  been  so  emptied,  have  in  addi- 
tion to  other  persons  been  elected  as  mem- 
bers of  the  committee  ad  interim,  with  a 
guard  given  them  day  and  night,  in  order  to 
maintain  peace  and  quietness,  and  give 
security  against  the  plots  of  Tories.  All 
business  is  prostrated,  all  shops  are  closed. 
How  many  prayers  and  tears  will  now  be 
brought  Ijefore  the  Lord,  by  parents  for 
their  children.  l)y  children  for  their  parents, 
li\'  wives  for  their  husbands. 

"August — Numerous  bands  of  soldiers 
from  Maryland,  Virginia,  etc.,  passed 
through  the  town. 

"September  4 — Our  town  has  not  re- 
mained exempt  from  the  pre\'ailing  unrest 
of  the  land.      Xone    of    oiu^    comnnmicant 


brethren  ha\e  been  comi)elled  to  enter  the 
war,  and  those  wiio  were  married  and  had 
gone  to  Jersey,  have  again  returned  in  the 
first  jjart  of  tine  week  to  their  respective 
homes.  The  young  single  men  of  our  so- 
ciety, of  whom  tlicre  are  about  ten  absent, 
ha\e  been  drawn  into  the  Flying  Camp. 

"In  the  beginning  of  September,  some  of 
those  who  had  gone  to  the  front  from  here 
returned.  On  the  28th  of  September,  1776, 
Philip  Rothrock  returned  from  a  visit  to  liis 
sons  in  camp  near  New  York." 

In  oljedience  to  the  call  for 
The  militia    from    Pennsylvania 

Organization,  to  join  the  Flying  Camp, 
Ijeing  formed  in  the  State 
of  Xew  Jersey,  five  battalions  of  Associ- 
ators  left  York  County  in  July,  1776.  These 
battalions  passed  through  Lancaster  and 
Philadelphia,  and  then  proceeded  by  water 
to  Trenton  and  from  thence  to  the  head- 
quarters of  the  Flying  Camp  at  Perth  Am- 
Ijoy,  arriving  there  late  in  July.  At  this 
time,  other  battalions  of  Associators  from 
Pennsylvania  and  Xew  Jersey  arrived  at 
Perth  Ambo}',  wdiere  General  fiercer  and 
his  brigadiers,  Ewing  and  Roberdeau, 
began  the  organization  of  the  Flying  Cam]), 
liy  asking  volunteer  enlistments. 

The  Convention  of  the  State  of  Penn- 
syh-ania,  on  August  12,  resolved  to 
add  four  additional  battalions  to  the 
Flying  Camp.  York  County  being  re- 
quired to  furnish  515  men  toward 
making  out  the  number  of  2,984,  the 
amount  of  the  four  new  battalions.  On 
the  same  day,  Colonel  George  Ross,  vice- 
president  of  the  convention :  Colonel 
Thomas  Matlack,  of  Philadelphia,  and 
Colonel  Henry  Slagle,  of  York  County, 
were  chosen  commissioners  to  go  to  the 
headquarters  in  Xew  Jersey,  to  aid  in  form- 
ing the  Flying  Camp.  Before  a  complete 
organization  had  been  effected,  the  British 
were  threatening  the  city  of  Xew  York. 
Colonel  Miles'  regiment  was  sent  to  Long 
Island,  and  the  newly  organized  regiments 
under  Swope  and  McAllister,  of  York 
Coimty.  were  sent  forward  for  active 
operations  in  the  field. 

.\fter  the  recjuisite  number  had  been  en- 
listed. General  Mercer  issued  an  order. 
-August  19,  authorizing  the  return  to  their 
homes  of  the  balance  of  the  associated 
militia.     This  patriotic  band  of  soldiers  was 


I  So 


HISTORY   OF  YORK  COUNTY,   PEXXSYLVAXIA 


organized  shortly  after  tlie  Declaration  of 
Independence,  when  the  political  affairs  of 
the  State  of  Pennsylvania  were  controlled 
by  the  Provincial  Conference. 

The  British  army  under  General  Howe 
was  arriving"  on  Long  Island  from  Halifax, 
Xo\a  Scotia,  where  it  had  gone  after 
evacuating  Boston.  Xew  York  was  in  the 
hands  of  the  Americans  and  a  battle 
between  \A'ashington  and  Howe  was  soon 
expected  at  Long  Island  or  in  the  northern 
part  of  Xew  Jersey. 

YORK  COUNTY  REGIMENTS. 

York  County  showed  her  lo\'aIty  to  the 
catise  of  independence  by  sending  more 
troops  from  the  militia  service  than  were 
needed  for  her  quota  for  the  organization 
of  the  Flying  Camp.  Two  regiments  had 
been  formed  from  the  York  County  militia. 
These  commands  were  designated  the  First 
and  Second  Pennsylvania  Regiments  of  the 
Flying  Camp.  The  officers  of  the  First 
Regiment  were:  Michael  Swope,  colonel; 
Robert  Stevenson,  lieutenant-colonel ;  Wil- 
liam Bailey,  major.  It  was  composed  of 
eight  companies  with  the  following  officers: 

First  Company — 

Michael  Schmeiser,  captain. 

Zachariah  Shugart,  first  lieutenant. 

Andrew  Robinson,  second  lieutenant. 

William  A\"ayne,  ensign. 
Second  Company — 

Gerhart  Graeff,  captain. 

Daniel  McCollom,  ensign. 
Third  Company — 

Jacob  Dritt,  captain. 

John  Baymiller,  hrst  lieutenant. 

Henry  Clayton,  second  lieutenant. 

Jacob  Mayer,  ensign. 

Daniel  Herrington,  corporal. 
Fourth  Company — 

Christian  S.take,  captain. 

Cornelius  Sheriff,  first  lieutenant. 

Jacob  Holtzinger,  second  lieutenant. 

Jacob  Barnitz,  ensign. 
Fifth  Company — 

John  McDonald,  captain. 

A\'illiam  Scott,  first  lieutenant 

Robert  Patton,  second  lieutenant. 

Ensign  Howe. 
Sixth  Company — 

John  Ewing,  captain. 

William  Paysley,  ensign. 


Seventh  Compan}- — 

William  Xelson,  captain. 

James  Todd,  first  lieutenant. 

Joseph  Welsh,  second  lieutenyn. 

Ensign  Xesbit. 
Eighth  Company — 

Joshua  A\'illiams,  captain. 

Jacob  Brinkerhoiif,  ensign. 
Soon  after  the  organization.  Colonel 
Swope's  regiment,  with  other  commands  of 
Ewing's  brigade,  was  ordered  to  garrison 
Fort  Constitution,  afterward  named  Fort 
Lee,  situated  on  the  west  side  of  the  Hud- 
son River,  above  New  York  City.  October 
8,  it  contained  2t7  commissioned  officers  and 
staff,  44  non-commissioned  officers,  and  359 
rank  and  file. 

The  Second  Pennsylvania 
McAllister's  Regiment  of  the  Flying 
Regiment.  Camp,  commanded  by  Colo- 
nel Richard  McAllister,  was 
composed  of  eight  companies.  Six  of 
tliese  companies  were  recruited  out  of  the 
l)attalions  of  militia  which  had  marched  to 
New  Jersey  from  the  various  parts  of  York 
County,  and  the  territory  now  embraced  in 
Adams  County.  These  companies  were 
commanded  respectively  by  Captains  Xich- 
olas  Bittinger,  AX'illiani  McCarter,  W\  Mc- 
Coskey,  John  Laird,  Samuel  Wilson  and 
John  Paxton.  Two  companies  from  Bucks 
County  belonged  to  this  regiment.  Mc- 
Allister's regiment  was  at  Perth  Amboy 
October  8,  1776,  when  it  contained  41  com- 
missioned officers  and  staff,  43  non- 
commissioned officers  and  438  rank  and  file. 
David  Kennedy  was  lieutenant-colonel  and 
John  Clark,  who  had  previously  served  with 
the  first  troops  that  left  York  for  Boston, 
was  commissioned  major. 

Meantime,  the  battle  of  Long  Island  had 
been  fought  and  the  British  had  taken 
possession  of  New  York  City,  which  then 
covered  the  lower  part  of  Manhattan 
Island.  W^ashington  retreated  to  the 
northern  part  of  the  island  and  then  placed 
his  army  on  both  sides  of  the  Hudson.  The 
enemy  held  Long  Island  and  Staten  Island. 
General  Mercer,  commanding  the  Flying 
Camp,  despatched  McAllister's  regiment  to 
attack  a  body  of  the  enemy  on  Staten 
Island,  October  14.  Major  John  Clark,  in 
his  autobiography,  says,  "In  the  expedition 
to  Staten  Island,  I  took  a  stand  of  British 
colors  of  the  Twenty-third  Light  Dragoons. 


'I" I  lie   RFA'OLL'TIOX 


i8i 


I  commanded  the  ad\rince  of  500  riflemen 
and  the  first  Hessians  taken,  or  rather 
W'aldeckers,  fell  into  my  hands,  about 
sixty." 

Soon  after  the  Staten  Island  affair,  Mc- 
Allister's regiment  joined  tho  brigade  at 
Fort  Lee.  At  this  time,  ]\Iajor  Clark 
selected  200  men  from  the  regiment  to 
guard  the  passes  opposite  White  Plains.  He 
fortified  his  position  and  laid  plans  to  pre- 
vent detachments  of  Howe's  army  from 
passing  up  the  Hudson. 

With  the  same  detachment  on  November 
9,  at  the  command  of  General  Greene, 
Clark  was  sent  to  Dobb's  Ferry  on  the  east 
side  of  the  Hudson  to  protect  the  landing 
of  a  quantity  of  flour  for  the  American 
army.  \\'ith  his  accustomed  sagacity, 
Clark  reconnoitered  the  situation  and  dis- 
covered that  the  enemy  to  the  number  of 
about  5,000  were  encamped  nearby.  He 
reported  that  in  his  opinion,  the  British 
were  laying  plans  to  cross  the  river  and 
attack  Fort  Washington,  situated  in  the 
northern  part  of  Manhattan  Island. 

Swope's  regiment  was  stationed  on  the 
New  Jersey  side  of  the  Hudson  to  guard  the 
passes  of  that  stream  during  the  battle  of 
White  Plains,  fought  on  the  eastern  side  of 
the  river,  below  Yonkers.  Colonel  Robert 
McGaw,  of  Cttmberland  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania, with  twelve  hundred  men,  was  placed 
in  charge  of  the  defenses  of  Fort  \\'ashing- 
ton.  General  Greene,  struck  with  the  im- 
portance of  protecting  McGaw.  suggested 
to  the  commander-in-chief  that  a  portion  of 
the  Flying  Camp,  then  stationed  on  the 
western  side  of  the  Hudson,  should  cross 
o\-er  and  assist  Colonel  ^NIcGaw  in  defend- 
ing Fort  Washington.  This  fort  was  con- 
sidered a  strategic  point,  and  General  Howe 
determined  to  attack  it  with  a  large  force. 
It  was  one  of  tlie  most  hazardous  positions 
defended  by  Pennsylvania  troops  during  the 
entire  period  of  the  Revolution.  Ten 
thousand  regulars  would  have  been  re- 
(juired  to  successfully  perform  this  duty. 

BATTLE  OF  FORT  WASHINGTON. 

In  accordance  with  Greene's  suggestion. 
Colonel  Swope's  and  a  part  of  I\lc.\llister's 
regiments  crossed  the  Hudson  and  joined 
the  Pennsylvania  troops  under  McGaw  in 
defending  the  fort.  November  15,  the 
adjutant-general.  Colonel  Patterson,  of  the 


British  army,  was  sent  to  summon  the  gar- 
rison in  Fort  Washington  to  surrender, 
threatening  at  the  same  time,  to  "put  it  to 
the  sword,"  if  the  demand  was  rejected.  At 
this  juncture.  Colonel  McGaw  sent  the  fol- 
lowing communication  to  General  Greene: 

"A  flag  of  truce  came  out  just  now  from 
King's  Bridge.  The  adjutant-general  was 
at  the  head  of  it.  I  sent  down  Colonel 
Swope.  The  adjutant-general  would  hardly 
give  him  two  hours  for  an  alternative  be- 
tween surrendering  at  discretion  or  every 
man  being  put  to  the  sword.  He  waits  an 
answer.  I  shall  send  him  a  proper  one. 
You  will,  I  dare  say,  do  what  is  best.  We 
are  determined  to  defend  the  post  or 
die." 

In  response  to  this  communication.  Colo- 
nel Swope,  of  York,  delivered  the  following 
remarkable  document  to  the  adjutant- 
general  of  the  British  army  in  accordance 
with  the  directions  of  Colonel  McGaw: 

"If  I  rightly  understand  the  purport  of 
your  message  from  General  Howe,  com- 
municated to  Colonel  Swope,  this  post  is  to 
be  immediately  surrenderetl  or  the  garrison 
put  to  the  sword.  I  rather  think  it  is  a 
mistake  than  a  settled  resolution  in  General 
Howe  to  act  a  part  so  unworthy  of  himself 
and  the  British  nation. 

"But  give  me  leave  to  assure  his  Excel- 
lency that,  actuated  by  the  most  glorious 
cause  of  mankind  ever  fought  in,  I  am  de- 
termined to  defend  this  post  to  the  very  last 
extremity." 

After  learning  the  determination  of  these 
gallant  Pennsylvania  troops,  the  British 
decided  to  make  the  attack,  the  following 
day.  Early  in  the  morning  on  the  six- 
teenth, the  enemy's  batteries  from  the  east- 
ern side  of  the  Harlem  River,  opened  fire 
upon  the  commands  of  Colonel  Baxter,  of 
]\Iaryland,  and  Colonel  Lambert  Cadwalla- 
der,  of  Pennsylvania,  who  held  positions 
witliout  the  fort. 

Meantime  General  \\'ashington,  with 
Greene.  Mercer  and  Putnam,  crossed  the 
river  from  Fort  Lee  to  the  vicinity  of  F"ort 
Washington,  and  examined  the  position  of 
the  .American  troops  and  reconnoitered  the 
movements  of  the  enemy.  These  officers 
then  returned  to  Fort  Lee,  entrusting  the 
entire  command  to  Colonel  McGaw  and  his 
heroic  band  of  patriots. 

Aljout  noon.  General  Knyphausen,  com- 


I«2 


HISTORY   OP^   YORK   COL'XTY,    PEXXSYLVAXIA 


manding"  the  Hessian  forces,  l:)egan  a 
furious  attack  upon  tiie  north.  SimuUa- 
neous  attacks  were  made  by  Lord  Percy  on 
the  south,  and  Colonel  Sterling  and  General 
Matthews  crossed  the  Harlem  river  and 
movetl  on  the  fort  from  the  east.  The 
British  dro\-e  the  Americans  from  their  out- 
posts and  soon  stood  victorious  upon  the 
hills  overlooking  the  open  fields  around 
Fort  \\'ashington.  Xear  the  fort  severe 
skirmishes  took  place  and  many  of  the  Hes- 
sian pursuers  were  slain.  The  defense  was 
gallant,  but  pike,  ball  and  baj'onet,  used  by 
live  thousand  men,  overpowered  the  weak- 
ened patriots  and  they  were  nearly  all 
gathered  within  the  ramparts  of  the  fort, 
but  not  until  about  i,ooo  men  had  fallen 
"into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

General  Howe  sent  an  order 
Surrender  for  surrender.  Perceiving  fur- 
of  the  Fort,     ther  resistance  to  be  in  vain, 

McGaw  complied  and  at  half 
past  one  the  British  flag  was  waving  where 
the  ContineiTtal  banner  had  been  unfurled 
defiantly  in  the  morning.  The  entire  gar- 
rison, numbering  nearly  three  thousand 
njen,  surrendered.  Washington,  standing 
on  the  ramparts  of  Fort  Lee  with  tears  in 
his  eyes,  saw  the  garrison  in  Fort  Washing- 
ton meet  its  doom,  and  the  American  ban- 
ner torn  down  and  replaced  by  the  flag  of 
England. 

When  the  attack  on  Fort  ^^'ashington 
began  about  noon  of  Xovember  i6,  1776, 
Swope's  regiment  was  defending  one  of  the 
outposts  some  distance  to  the  southeast. 
His  position  was  assaulted  by  the  Hessian 
troops  under  Knyphausen.  Swope's  men 
fought  gallantly,  but  being  o\'erpowered  by 
the  enemy,  were  compelled  to  fall  back.  In 
this  movement  they  were  flanked  by  the 
British  and  Hessians  and  forced  to  sur- 
render. Almost  the  entire  command  of  400 
York  County  soldiers  became  prisoners  of 
war.  Jacob  Barnitz,  a  young  man  of 
eighteen  and  a  color  bearer  of  the  regiment, 
was  wounded  in  both  legs  by  rifle  balls  and 
was  left  on  the  held.  The  attack  of  the 
enemy  was  violent  and  impetuous,  and  as 
they  approached  the  outposts  of  the  fort, 
the  Hessians  lost  heavily  in  killed  and 
wounded  from  the  well  directed  aim  of  the 
Pennsylvania  soldiers.  Colonel  McGaw's 
loss  in  killed  and  wounded  did  not  exceed 
100  men,  but  almost  his  entire  command  of 


3,000  men  were  compelled  to  surrender  to 
the  enemy. 

Colonel  Xliomas  Hartley,  in  1779,  wrote  a 
letter  stating  that  nearly  400  York  County 
troops,  largely  from  Swope's  regiment  and 
partly  from  iNIcAllister's  regiment,  had  been 
held  in  N^ew  York  and  Long  Island  as 
prisoners  of  w-ar;  that  at  the  expiration  of 
three  years  only  fifty  of  the  entire  number 
captured  had  returned  to  their  homes.  He 
made  this  assertion  to  prove  the  loj'alty  of 
the  people  west  of  the  Susquehanna  to  the 
cause  of  American  independence,  and  fur- 
ther claimed  that  York  County  had  fur- 
nished more  troops  for  the  army  than  any 
other  county  in  the  thirteen  original  states. 

These  American  soldiers  were  placed  in 
jails,  churches,  sugar  houses  and  other 
buildings,  and  held  as  prisoners  of  war  for 
many  months,  some  of  them  not  having 
been  released  until  three  years  after  their 
capture.  The  stories  of  their  treatment  if 
they  could  be  given  in  detail  would  rank 
among  the  most  sorrowful  ever  recorded  on 
the  pages  of  history.  They  w-ere  given  an 
insui^cient  amount  of  food,  were  obliged  to 
remain  in  cold,  damp  rooms  without  any 
privileges  of  outdoor  exercise.  Many  of 
these  gallant  sons  of  Pennsylvania  died 
from  the  horrors  of  British  prison  pens  and 
others  contracted  diseases  from  which  they 
never  recovered.  The  treatment  of  the 
British  and  Hessian  prisoners  by  the 
Americans  formed  no  comparison  to  the 
treatment  of  Colonel  McGaw's  men  while 
they  were  held  prisoners  in  New  York  and 
Long  Island. 

Owing  to  the  absence  of  oiTicial  doc- 
uments, a  complete  record  of  the  casualties 
in  Swope's  and  McAllister's  regiments  can- 
not be  given.  From  various  sources  of  in- 
formation the  following  facts  have  been  ob- 
tained. Among  the  prisoners  captured  at 
Fort  AA'ashington  were  Colonel  Michael 
Swope.  Major  William  Bailey,  Surgeon 
Humphrey  Fullerton,  Captains  Michael 
Smyser,  Jacob  Drift,  Christian  Stake,  John 
McDonald,  Henry  Clayton,  Flenry  Lewis, 
Lieutenants  Zachariah  Shugart,  Jacob 
Holtzinger,  Andrew  Robinson,  Benjamin 
Davis,  Lieutenants  Clayton,  Robert  Patton, 
Joseph  Welsh,  Ensigns  Jacob  Barnitz, 
Jacob  Morgan  and  Jacob  ]Meyer,  and  Adju- 
tant Howe. 

The  follo\\'ing  sohliers  served  in  Captain 


THE   REVOLUTIOX 


183 


Stake's  company  and  were  taken  prisoners 


at     Fort     \\  asliington : 


Sergeant      Peter 


Haack,  Sergeant  John  Dicks,  Sergeant 
Henry  Counselman,  Corporal  John  Adlum, 
David  Parker,  James  Dobbins,  Hugh  Dob- 
bins, Henry  Miller,  John  Stroman,  Christian 
Stroman,  James  Berry,  Joseph  Bay,  Henry 
Hoff,  Joseph  Updegraff,  Daniel  ^liller, 
Jacob  Hake,  Jr.,  Henry  Shultz,  William 
Lukens,  the  mulatto  cook. 

The  casualties  of  ^McAllister's  regiment 
as  far  as  could  be  obtained  were  the  follow- 
ing: Captain  ^IcCarter,  shot  through  the 
breast  and  died  five  days  after  the  battle ; 
Captain  Nicholas  Bittinger,  the  ancestor  of 
the  Bittinger  family  in  York  and  Adams 
Counties,  held  as  a  prisoner  of  war  in  Xew^ 
York  for  several  months;  Lieutenants  Wil- 
liam Young,  Joseph  Morrison,  Hugh  King, 
Shannon,  Henry  Bittinger,  Ensign  Thomas 
Reed,  Private  Charles  \\'ilson. 

The  battle  of  Fort  Washington  was 
fought  largely  by  troops  from  west  of  the 
Susquehanna  River  from  York  and  Cumber- 
land Counties.  .About  one-half  of  the  en- 
listed men  of  Swope's  and  AIcAUister's 
regiments  were  Pennsylvania  Germans  who 
fought  gallantly  before  they  would  sur- 
render the  fort  to  the  enemy. 

Captains  William  Scott,  John  Jamison, 
Thomas  Campbell,  Lieutenants  Samuel 
Lindsay,  Henry  Bear,  Joseph  Morrison, 
John  Irwin.  John  Findlay,  Godfrey  Myers, 
Matthew  Bennett,  of  York  County,  were 
prisoners  of  war  on  Long  Island,  in  August, 
1778. 

Among  the  soldiers  belonging  to  Swope's 
regiment,  who  died  in  New  York  prisons, 
were  Sergeants  Peter  Haack  and  John 
Hicks;  Privates  Hugh  Dobbins,  Henry 
Hoff,  David  Parker.  They  were  buried  in 
Trinit}'  churchyard,  New  York,  in  the  same 
hallowed  ground  in  which  were  interred  the 
remains  of  Alexander  Hamilton  and  many 
other  noted  Revolutionary  soldiers.  Cap- 
tain McCarter,  of  McAllister's  regiment, 
who  was  mortally  wounded  at  Fort  Wash- 
ington, was  also  buried  in  Trinity  grave- 
yard. 

Benjamin  Davis,  who  served  as  lieuten- 
ant in  Captain  Smyser's  company,  was  held 
as  a  prisoner  of  war  during  the  whole  period 
of  the  Revolution.  He  owned  a  fulling  mill 
in  York  County  and  186  acres  of  land.  In 
^larch.  1781.    he    applied    to    the    State    of 


Pennsylvania  for  a  pension,  stating  in  his 
application  tlnat  his  property  had  been  sold 
to  support  his  family  during  his  long  im- 
prisonment. 

John  ^IcKinley,  of  Lower  Chanceford 
Township,  the  great-grandfather  of  William 
McKinley,  served  in  the  Sixth  Battalion, 
York  County  Militia,  and  marched  with  it 
to  join  the  Flying  Camp  in  1776. 

Gerhardt  GraetT,  a  captain  in  the  Flying 
Camp,  was  taken  a  prisoner  at  Fort  Wash- 
ington, and  died  in  captivity.  Almost  his 
entire  company  became  prisoners  of  war  at 
Fort  Washington. 

GENERAL  JAMES  EWING,  who  com- 
manded one  of  the  divisions  of  the  Flying- 
Camp,  was  born  in  IManor  Township,  Lan- 
caster County,  August  3,  1736,  of  Scotch- 
Irish  ancestry.  His  father  emigrated  from 
the  north  of  Ireland  to  Pennsylvania  in 
1734.  The  son  received  a  good  education. 
During  ForUes'  expedition  to  Fort  Du- 
quesne  in  the  French  and  Indian  war,  he 
entered  the  provincial  service  and  was  com- 
missioned lieutenant.  May  10,  1758.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  General  Assembly  of 
Pennsylvania  from  1771  to  1775.  At  the 
outbreak  of  the  Revolution,  he  was  on  the 
Committee  of  Safety  for  York  County,  and 
on  July  4,  1776,  was  chosen  one  of  the  two 
brigadier-generals  of  I  he  Pennsylvania  As- 
sociators,  out  of  which  was  formed  the  Fly- 
ing Camp.  He  commanded  one  of  the  di- 
visions of  the  Flying  Camp  in  the  campaign 
around  New  York  City  during  the  year 
1776.  In  December  of  that  year,  when 
General  Washington  had  planned  an  attack 
on  the  British  at  Trenton,  General  Ewing, 
in  command  of  the  Pennsylvania  Militia, 
was  stationed  at  a  point  a  few  miles  below 
Trenton.  It  was  intended  that  his  division 
of  troops  should  cross  the  Delaware  to  New 
Jersey  on  Christmas  night  at  the  same  time 
that  \\'ashington  was  crossing  a  short 
distance  above  Trenton,  where  the  stream 
was  narrow.  Owing  to  the  width  of  the 
river  below  Trenton  and  the  floating  ice, 
Ewing  was  unable  to  cross  until  after  the 
victory  had  been  won  at  Trenton.  General 
Sullivan  commanded  a  body  of  men  near 
Bristol,  and  was  also  unable  to  cross  the 
river  on  account  of  the  obstructions.  Some 
days  later,  both  these  commands  took  posi- 
tion in  New  Jersey  and  acted  as  a  reserve  at 
the  battle    of    Princeton.      After    the    war. 


1 84 


HISTORY   OF  YORK  COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


General  Ewing  returned  to  liis  plantation  in 
Hellam  Township,  about  t\\o  miles  west  of 
AVrightsville,  where  he  followed  the  occu- 
pation of  a  farmer.  His  character,  promi- 
nence and  ability  Avon  him  recognition  at 
the  hands  of  his  fellow-citizens  and  he  was 
frequently  called  upon  to  serve  in  high  posi- 
tions of  honor  and  trust.  Immediately  after 
the>war,  he  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  Su- 
preme Executive  Council  of  Pennsylvania 
and  was  vice-president  of  the  Council,  a 
position  corresponding  to  lieutenant-gov- 
ernor, from  November  7,  1782,  to  Novem- 
ber 6,  1784.  The  following  year  he  served 
as  a  member  of  the  State  Legislature,  where 
he  was  active  in  securing  the  passage  of 
laws  relating  to  the  material  development 
of  the  state.  The  state  constitution  of  1790 
made  the  Legislature  composed  of  two 
bodies,  Senate  and  House  of  Representa- 
tives, and  from  1795  to  1799,  General  Ewing 
represented  York  County  in  the  State  Sen- 
ate, being  one  of  its  most  influential  mem- 
bers. It  was  during  this  period  that  he  be- 
came deeply  interested  in  the  navigation  of 
the  Susquehanna  River,  advocating  the  con- 
struction of  a  channel  in  the  centre  of  the 
river  through  the  Conewago  rapids  and  ex- 
tending from  Harrisburg  to  the  Chesapeake 
Bay.  When  the  subject  of  making  Wright's 
Ferry  the  seat  of  the  United  States  govern- 
ment was  discussed  in  Congress,  he  was  one 
of  the  strong  supporters  for  the  selection  of 
the  west  bank  of  the  Susquehanna,  at 
AVrightsville,  as  the  place  for  the  national 
government.  General  Ewing  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  was 
prominent  in  the  councils  of  that  church. 
He  had  served  as  vice-president  of  the  State 
during  the  same  period  that  John  Dickinson 
was  president,  and  when  Dickinson  College 
was  founded  at  Carlisle,  in  1783,  he  was 
chosen  a  member  of  the  first  board  of 
trustees  of  that  institution.  He  died  at  his 
home  in  Hellam  Township,  near  the  Sus- 
quehanna River,  March  i,  1806,  at  the  age 
of  seventy  years. 

COLONEL  MICHAEL  SWOPE,  one  of 
the  heroes  of  Fort  Washington,  was  born  at 
York  about  .1748,  son  of  George  Swope,  one 
of  the  commissioners  who  laid  ofif  York 
County  in  1749.  Early  in  life,  Colonel 
Swope  became  one  of  the  most  influential 
citizens  in  the  town  and  county  of  York. 
He  was  elected  coroner  in  1761 ;  appointed 


justice  of  the  peace  in  1764;  judge  of  the 
Orphan's  Court  in  1767;  member  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Assembly  from  1768  until  the 
opening  of  the  Revolution ;  member  of  the 
committee  of  correspondence  at  York  in 
1775,  and  the  same  year  was  chosen  major 
of  the  First  Battalion  of  York  County 
Militia,  commanded  by  James  Smith,  signer 
of  the' Declaration  of  Independence.  When 
Smith  became  a  member  of  Continental 
Congress,  Major  Swope  was  elected  colonel 
of  the  First  Battalion  of  militia.  In  the 
summer  of  1776;  when  the  militia  was  called 
into  active  service.  Colonel  Swope  took  his 
battalion  to  Perth  Amboy,  New  Jersey,  and 
at  this  place  recruited  from  the  different 
battalions  of  York  County  militia,  the  First 
Pennsylvania  Regiment  in  the  Flj^ing  Camp, 
whose  history  is  given  in  the  preceding 
pages.  At  the  battle  of  Fort  Washington, 
November  16,  1776,  Colonel  Swope  was 
taken  prisoner,  together  with  most  of  his 
regiment.  He,  with  other  officers,  was  con- 
fined in  New  York  City  until  June  23,  1778, 
when  he  was  released  on  parole.  His  parole 
was  cancelled  by  special  order  on  the  8th  of 
August,  1779,  and  he  was  required  to  return 
to  prison  in  New  York,  where  he  remained, 
with  some  fellow-prisoners,  until  he  was 
finally  exchanged  for  a  British  officer  of  the 
same  rank,  at  Elizabeth,  New  Jersey,  Janu- 
ary 26,  1781.  He  then  returned  to  York  on 
foot,  a  distance  of  170  miles.  Before  leaving 
prison,  the  American  agent,  Lewis  Pintard, 
gave  him  a  large  supply  of  Continental 
money  to  pay  his  expenses  on  his  return 
home.  At  this  time.  Continental  money  had 
become  almost  valueless,  and  Colonel 
Swope  exchanged  seventy-five  dollars  in 
currency  for  one  in  specie. 

Colonel  Swope  first  began  business  at 
York  as  an  inn-keeper.  In  1783,  two  years 
after  his  return  to  York  from  his  experience 
as  a  prisoner,  he  was  assessed  as  a  store- 
keeper, with  merchandise  and  real  estate 
valued  at  1,119  pounds.  He  then  had  a 
family  of  five  persons.  He  owned  silver- 
ware to  the  amount  of  thirty-two  pounds,  a 
pleasure  carriage  and  one  slave.  In  1782, 
he  was  commissioned  one  of  the  court 
justices  for  York  County. 

Colonel  Swope  was  first  married  to  Anna 
Maria,  daughter  of  Casper  Spangler,  of 
York.  She  died  sometime  before  the 
Revolution.       In     1777,   when     Continental 


THE  REVOLUTION 


185 


Congress  came  to  York,  his  second  wife, 
Eva  Swope,  rented  their  home,  on  the  south 
side  of  West  Alarket  Street,  to  John  Han- 
cock, president  of  Congress.  This  building 
was  then  known  as  the  President's  house, 
and  the  rental  of  it  for  the  use  of  the  presi- 
dent of  Congress,  was  paid  by  the  govern- 
ment. Hancock  resigned  his  office  two 
months  after  Congress  came  to  York  and 
returned  to  ]Massachusetts.  In  February, 
1778,  when  Baron  Steuben  came  to  York  to 
ofier  his  services  as  an  officer  in  the  Ameri- 
can army,  he  occupied  the  Swope  residence 
for  a  period  of  three  weeks,  with  his  retinue 
of  attendants.  ^leantime,  he  received  the 
commission  of  a  major-general  and  pro- 
ceeded to  Valley  Forge  to  drill  the  army  in 
the  tactics  he  had  learned  while  serving 
under  Frederick  the  Great  of  Prussia.  In 
1785,  Colonel  Swope  removed  froin  York  to 
Alexandria,  Virginia.  After  going  there, 
his  business  affairs  at  York  were  conducted 
by  Colonel  Thomas  Hartley,  who  disposed 
of  his  real  estate. 

COLONEL  RICHARD  McALLISTER, 
who  commanded  the  Second  Penns\lvania 
Regiment  of  York  County  Troops  in  the 
Flying  Camp,  was  born  in  1724.  He  was  a 
son  of. Archibald  ]\IcAllister,  who  came  to 
America  from  Scotland  in  1732.  About 
1745  Richard  ^IcAllister  moved  from  Cum- 
berland County  to  the  site  of  Hanover, 
where  he  purchased  a  large  tract  of 
land.  On  February  2t„  1748,  he  married 
Mary,  daughter  of  Colonel  Matthew  Dill, 
who  commanded  a  regiment  in  the  French 
and  Indian  war,  and  whose  son.  ]\Iatthew, 

'  founded  Dillsburg.  In  1750,  Richard  Mc.\l- 
lister  was  a  candidate  for  sheriff  of  York 
County  against  Colonel  Hance  Hamilton, 
who  resided  near  the  site  of  Gettysburg. 
The  election  was  so  close  that  it  was  con- 
tested and  the  Provincial  authorities  com- 
missioned Hance  Hamilton.  In  1763,  Rich- 
ard McAllister  founded  the  town  of  Han- 
over and  soon  became  one  of  the  leading 
citizens  of  York  County.  In  1775  he  was 
elected  a  member  of  the  Committee  of  Ob- 
servation and  Safety  for  York  County.  In_ 
June  of  the  same  year  he  served  as  a  repre- 
sentative    in     the     Provincial     Conference, 

'which  met  in  Carpenter's  Hall,  Philadel- 
phia, and  in  January,  1776,  he  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  same  body.  In  1775  he  was  com- 
missioned colonel  of  the  Fourth  Battalion 


of  York  Count}'  ]\Iilitia.  During  the  fall  of 
the  same  year,  he  received  the  commission 
as  colonel  of  a  battalion  of  Minute  Men, 
formed  out  of  the  militia  of  York  County. 
In  July,  1776,  when  Congress  issued  a  call 
for  ten  thousand  troops.  Colonel  McAllister 
marched  with  his  battalion  through  Lan- 
caster and  Philadelphia  to  Perth  Amboy,  N. 
J.  At  this  point,  when  the  Flying  Camp 
was  organized  under  the  command  of  Gen- 
eral Hugh  Mercer,  he  was  chosen  colonel  of 
the  Second  Pennsylvania  Regiment.  Colo- 
nel ]McAllister  commanded  his  regiment  in 
the  campaign  around  New  York  City  and 
led  the  expedition  to  Staten  Island. 
Later  in  the  campaign.  Colonel  McAl- 
lister's regiment  took  part  in  the  defense 
of  Fort  Washington,  where  he  lost  a  large 
number  of  troops  who  became  prisoners  of 
war,  including  two  of  his  captains.  In  the 
campaign  of  1776  he  was,  present  with  his 
regiment,  under  General  James  Ewing,  sta- 
tioned below  Trenton  on  the  Pennsylvania 
side  of  the  Delaware,  when  Washington 
captured  the  Hessians  in  Trenton  on 
Christmas  night. 

After  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service 
in  the  Flying  Camp,  in  1777,  McAllister  re- 
turned to  his  home  at  Hanover,  and  in 
ISIarch  of  this  year  he  was  elected  by  the 
General  Assembly  of  Pennsylvania,  county 
lieutenant.  This  office  required  him  to  see 
that  the  six  difterent  battalions  of  the 
militia  in  York  County,  which  then  included 
Adams,  were  drilled  and  disciplined  ready 
for  service  in  the  field  when  they  were  re- 
quired to  defend  their  state  against  the  in- 
vasion of  the  British  foe.  He  was  successful 
in  this  position  and  on  several  occasions 
issued  calls  for  certain  classes  of  the  militia 
to  march  from  York  County  to  the  army 
under  \\'ashington.  During  the  years 
1783-84-85-86,  he  was  a  member  of  the  Su- 
preme E.xecutive  Council  of  Pennsylvania, 
which,  under  the  state  constitution  of  1776 
to  1790,  was  the  Executive  Body  in  the  state 
government.  During  the  years  that  he 
served  in  this  body,  he  was  also  a  member 
of  the  Council  of  Censors,  whose  duty  was 
to  look  after  the  interests  of  the  confiscated 
estates  of  Pennsylvania  Tories.  Colonel 
McAllister  early  in  lif2  took  a  prominent 
part  in  the  legal  afYairs  of  York  County.  He 
was  commissioned  justice  of  the  peace  and 
justice   for   the   court   of  common   pleas   in 


1 86 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUXTY,   PEXXSYLVAXIA 


Marcli,  1771.  He  was  a  member  of  the  first 
State  Constitutional  Convention  in  the  year 
1776,  and  on  February  17,  1784,  became 
presiding  justice  of  the  York  County 
Courts.  On  June  30,  1791,  he  entertained 
President  A\'ashington  for  a  few  hours 
wliile  passing  through  llie  town  of  Hanover 
on  his  way  to  Philadelphia.  He  died  at 
Hanover  at  four  o'clock  in  the  evening,  Oc- 
tober 7,  1795.  His  remains  were  first  buried 
in  the  graveyard,  belonging  to  Emanviel's 
Reformed  Church  of  Hanover,  of  which  he 
was  a  member  and  one  of  the  leading  con- 
tributors during  its  early  history.  About 
1870  his  remains  were  removed  to  Mount 
Olivet  Cemetery  in  the  suburbs  of  Hanover, 
where  they  now  lie,  and  on  every  succeed- 
ing Memorial  day  commemorative  services 
are  held  at  this  tomb  by  the  Grand  Army 
Post  of  Hanover.  Colonel  McAllister  had 
eleven  children.  His  eldest  son,  Abdiel, 
commanded  a  company  in  Colonel  Irvine's 
regiment  in  the  first  expedition  to  Canada, 
in  1775,  and  during  the  campaign  around 
Philadelphia  took  part  in  the  battle  of 
Brandywine,  when  this  regiment  was  com- 
manded by  Colonel  David  Grier,  of  York. 
Archibald  McAllister,  another  son,  born 
1756,  commanded  a  company  in  the  battle 
of  Germantown,  in  1777,  and  also  in  the 
engagement  at  Monmouth,  New  Jersey,  in 
1778.  Matthew,  a  younger  son,  born  1758, 
became  first  United  States  district  attorney 
of  Georgia,  judge  of  the  Superior  Court  of 
the  state  and  mayor  of  Savannah  during  the 
war  of  1812. 

Colonel  Julian  McAllister,  one  of  his  sons, 
commanded  a  regiment  in  the  Union  army 
during  the  Civil  w'ar. 

COLONEL  MICHAEL  SMYSER,  in 
.early  days  written  Schmeiser,  who  served 
with  distinction  as  a  captain  in  the  Flying 
Camp,  was  born  in  1740,  a  few  miles  west  of 
York.  His  father,  Matthias  Smyser,  came 
from  Germany  in  1731,  at  the  age  of  sixteen, 
and  when  he  reached  his  manhood,  became 
one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  York  County 
in  the  vicinity  of  Spring  Grove.  Michael 
Smyser  was  thirty-five  years  old  when  the 
Revolution  opened.  He  became  one  of  the 
early  citizens  west  of  the  Stisqnehanna  to 
organize  in  opposition  to  the  English  gov- 
ernment. He  was  one  of  a  committee  of 
twelve  from  York  County,  who  raised 
money  in  1775  to  send  to  the  inhabitants  of 


Boston,  ^\■hen  the  port  of  that  city  was 
closed  by  the  British.  He  joined  the  Conti- 
nental army  as  a  captain  in  Colonel  Michael 
Swope's  regiment  of  York  County  Volun- 
teers, and  was  captured  by  the  enemy  in  the 
engagement  at  Fort  Washington,  north  of 
New  York  City,  on  the  i6th  of  November, 
1776.  Several  months  of  distressing  im- 
prisonment followed,  during  which  time  he 
was  unremitting  in  his  efforts  to  alleviate 
the  sufferings  of  others,  and  bold  and  ani- 
mated in  the  advocacy  of  his  -country's 
cause.  After  his  release  and  return  home, 
he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  House  of 
Representatives  of  Pennsylvania  from  York 
County,  and  from  that  time  to  1790  was 
seven  times  re-elected  to  the  same  position. 
From  1790  to  1795  he  represented  his 
county  in  the  State  Senate,  being  the  first 
person  from  A'ork  County  to  fill  that  posi- 
tion mider  the  State  Constitution  of  1790. 
Here  his  warm  attachment  to  our  political 
institutions  enabled  him  to  act  with  honor 
to  himself  and  his  constituents.  After  the 
war,  he  turned  his  attention  to  agricultural 
pursuits,  and  kept  a  tavern  a  short  distance 
west  of  York.  He  died  in  the  year  1810, 
and  his  remains  are  interred  near  those  of 
his  father  in  the  graveyard  of  the  First 
Lutheran  Church  of  York.  He  left  three 
sons  and  four  daughters,  viz. :  Peter,  Eliza- 
beth, Sarah,  Jacob,  Marv,  Alichael,  Susan. 

ENSIGN  JACOB  BARNITZ,  who  was 
twice  wounded_at  the  battle  of  Fort  Wash- 
ington, was  born  at  York  in  the  year  1758. 
He  was  the  son  of  John  George  Carl  Bar- 
nitz,  who  came  to  this  country  about  1745, 
first  settled  in  Baltimore  and  later  removed  • 
to  York.  Jacob  Barnitz  grew  to  manhood 
in  his  native  town  and  was  a  boy  seventeen 
years  old  wdien  the  first  troops  left  York  to 
join  the  American  army  at  Boston.  The 
same  year,  he  enlisted  and  trained  with  the 
First  Battalion  of  York  County  Militia 
under  Colonel  James  Smith,  in  Captain 
Stake's  company.  He  marched  with  the 
battalion  to  New  Jersey,  and  when  Colonel 
Michael  Swope  organized  the  first  regiment 
of  Pennsylvania  troops  for  the  Flying 
Camp,  Jacob  Barnitz,  at  the  age  of  eighteen, 
was  made  ensign  or  flag  bearer,  a  com- 
missioned officer  with  the  rank  of  second* 
lieutenant.  He  participated  in  the  cam- 
paign around  New  York  City,  and  carried 
the  flag  of  his  regiment  when  the  British 


THE   RKVOLfl'IOX 


187 


attacked  Fort  Washington,  Xu\ember  i6,- 
1776.  Colonel  Swope  was  commanding-  tlie 
ontposts,  and  wlien  he  was  drixen  back  by 
the  approaching  Hessians  in  large  numbers, 
the  flag  bearer  was  the  target  of  the  enemy's 
balls.  While  falling  back  toward  the  fortifi- 
cations, Ensign  Barnitz  was  wounded  in 
l)oth  legs  and  left  on  the  field.  He  lay 
where  he  fell  during  the  night  and  the  next 
day,  as  the  evening  closed,  a  Hessian 
soldier  approached  and  was  about  to  bay- 
onet him,  when  a  British  ofiicer,  who 
chanced  to  be  near,  took  pity  "on  him  and 
thus  saved  his  life.  He  was  then  thrown  on 
a  wagon  and  taken  a  prisoner  of  w^ar  to 
Xew  York  City,  then  in  the  hands  of  the 
British,  where  he  remained  fifteen  months, 
suft'ering  from  his  wounds.  After  his  ex- 
change, 1778,  he  was  removed  on  a  wagon 
from  Xew  York  City  to  his  home  in  York. 
He  partially  recovered  from  his  wounds, 
and  in  1785  was  appointed  register  and  re- 
corder of  York  County,  serving  continu- 
ously until  1824,  a  period  of  thirty-five 
years.  Ensign  Barnitz,  a  name  which  he 
always  retained,  carried  a  British  ball,  re- 
ceived at  the  attack  on  Fort  Washington, 
for  thirty  ^-ears,  but  the  shattered  bone 
lengthened,  and  in  1806  he  was  compelled 
to  undergo  amputation. 

Soon  after  the  war  he  married  !Mary, 
daughter  of  Archibald  McLean,  the  noted 
surveyor  of  York.  Their  eldest  son  was 
Charles  A.  Barnitz,  an  eminent  lawyer  and 
member  of  the  Twenty-third  Congress. 
Their  second  son  was  Lieutenant  Jacob 
Barnitz,  a  gallant  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812, 
who  bore  a  distinguished  part  as  an  ofificer 
of  \olunteers  at  the  battle  of  Xorth  Point. 
Ensign  Barnitz  died  April  16,  1828,  at  the 
age  of  seventy  years,  and  his  remains  now 
rest  at  a  spot  north  of  Zion  Lutheran 
Church  of  York.  Shortly  after  the  close  of 
the  war,  under  act  of  Congress  passed  June 
7,  1785,  he  became  a  pensioner  and  received 
up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  the  sum  of  $3,- 
500,  as  a  reward  for  his  valor  and  patriotism 
during  the  Revolution. 

The  British  ball  which  he  carried  in  his 
leg  from  1776  to  1808  was  presented  to  the 
Historical  Society  of  Y''ork  County  in  1904 
by  his  granddaughter.  Miss  Catharine 
Barnitz. 

CAPTAIX  JACOB  DRLfT  commanded 
a  company  in  Swope's  Regiment.     He  was 


made  prisoner  at  Fort  Washington,  and 
underwent  a  long  captivity.  When  the  lines 
of  the  American  forces  were  attacked  by  the 
enemy,  previous  to  the  capture  of  the  fort, 
Captain  Dritt,  with  a  party  of  men  chiefly 
from  his  own  company,  was  ordered  in  ad- 
vance to  oppose  the  landing  of  the  British, 
who  came  in  boats  across  Harlem  Creek, 
below  King's  Bridge.  He  defended  his 
position  with  great  bravery,  until,  having 
lost  a  number  of  his  men,  and  being  nearly 
surrounded  by  the  Hessians  on  one  side  and 
the  British  troops  on  the  other,  he  retreated 
into  the  fort  with  difficulty  and  was  there 
captured  with  the  garrison.  After  the  war 
Captain  Dritt  resided  on  his  plantation  in 
Lower  \\'indsor  Township,  near  the  site  of 
East  Prospect  and  was  engaged  in  trans- 
porting" goods  and  merchandise  in  a  large 
ark  down  the  Susquehanna  River  from  its 
upper  waters.  He  kept  up  an  interest  in 
military  matters  and  about  1800  w^as  com- 
missioned a  brigadier-general  in  the  state 
militia.  He  lost  his  life  by  an  vmfortunate 
accident.  On  December  19,  1817,  he 
crossed  the  Susquehanna  to  the  site  of  Lit- 
tle Washington  and  went  to  the  Marietta 
Bank,  where  he  obtained  five  hundred  dol- 
lars. W^hen  he  returned  to  the  east  side  of 
the  ferry,  where  his  son  Colonel  John  Dritt 
resided,  the  latter  advised  him  not  to  cross 
the  river  to  his  home.  He  was  accompanied 
by  a  young  man  named  Griffith.  They  en- 
tered a  boat  which  was  capsized  in  the  mid- 
dle of  the  stream  when  it  came  in  contact 
with  a  large  cake  of  ice.  Many  fruitless 
efforts  were  made  to  recover  the  dead  body 
of  the  old  soldier.  Three  months  after  the 
drowning,  the  body  of  General  Dritt  was 
found  lying  along  the  banks  of  the  Chesa- 
peake Bay  near  the  mouth  of  the  Susque- 
hanna, by  some  colored  slaves.  The  body 
was  identified  by  some  silver  shoe  buckles 
which  he  wore.  His  remains  were  interred 
near  the  site  where  they  were  found. 

CAPTAIN  NICHOLAS  BITTINGER,^ 
who  commanded  a  company  in  McAllister's 
regiment,  and  was  captured  by  the  British 
at  Fort  Washington,  was  born  in  Alsace, 
Germany.  He  came  to  America  with  his 
parents  and  became  one  of  the  earliest  set- 
tlers in  the  vicinity  of  Hanover.  In  1743, 
he  was  one  of  the  co.ncil  for  St.  Matthew's 
Church,  at  Hanover,  the  second  Lutheran 
congregation    west    of    the    Susquehanna. 


1 88 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY,    PEXXSYLVAXIA 


During"  a  vacancy  in  the  pulpit,  Xicholas 
Bittinger  was  elected  to  conduct  religious 
services  and  read  sermons.  At  the  opening 
of  the  Revolution,  he  was  chosen  a  member 
of  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  York 
County,  and  in  1776,  upon  the  organization 
of  the  Flying  Camp,  took  command  of  a 
company  of  sixty-eight  men.  He  fell  into 
the  hands  of  the  enemy  at  Fort  Washington 
and  was  held  a  prisoner  of  war  for  nearly 
fifteen  ijionths.  AA'hen  Captain  Bittinger 
entered  the.  service,  he  had  reached  the  age 
of  fifty  years.  His  eldest  daughter  was  the 
wife  of  John  Clark,  major  of  McAllister's 
regiment.  Captain  Bittinger  accumulated 
considerable  property,  and  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  in  1804,  owned  several  farms  a  short 
distance  north  of  Hanover.  His  remains 
were  buried  in  the  Lutheran  graveyard  at 
Abbottstown.  Several  of  his  descendants, 
including. the  late  Rev.  Joseph  Bittinger  and 
Rev.  John  Ouiney  Bittinger,  became  promi- 
nent clergymen  in  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
Hon.  John  \\'.  Bittenger,  president  judge  of 
the  York  County  courts,  and  Dr.  Joseph  R. 
Bittinger,  of  Hanover,  are  also  descendants 
of  Captain  Bittinger. 

WASHINGTON'S  RETREAT  AND 
VICTORY  AT  TRENTON. 

At  the  disaster  of  Fort  Washington  on 
November  16,  1776,  York  County  suffered 
its  severest  loss  during  the  entire  Revolu- 
tion. Nearly  six  hundred  officers  and  men 
had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  British  and 
were  held  as  prisoners  of  war  in  New  York 
city  and  at  dififerent  posts  on  Long  Island. 
The  First  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  in  which 
Captain  Henry  Miller's  York  County  troops 
served,  had  lost  heavily  at  Long  Island  in 
August  of  the  same  year.  Captain  Philip 
Albright's  company  had  its  ranks  depleted 
in  the  same  battle. 

The  defeats  of  the  American  army  around 
New  York  city  compelled  ^^'ashington  to 
retreat  across  X^ew  Jersey  in  order  to  defend 
the  city  of  Philadelphia.  Congress  became 
terrified  and  removed  to  Baltimore.  The 
term  of  enlistment  of  many  of  the  troops 
from  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey  had  ex- 
pired, and  desertions  depleted  the  ranks  of 
nearly  all  the  regiments  then  in  the  field. 
General  Charles  Lee,  second  in  command, 
became  disaftected  toward  the  commander- 
in-chief.      AN'ashington     fell     back     toward 


Philadelphia  through  Princeton  and  Tren- 
ton, and  on  December  8  crossed  the  Dela- 
ware with  his  entire  army,  numbering  about 
four  thousand  men  of  the  eleven  thousand 
or  more  tliat  crossed  with  him  to  New  York 
city  after  the  battle  of  Long  Island. 

Meantime  Schuyler  and  Gates  came  down 
from  Central  New  York  with  seven  regi- 
ments and  prepared  to  join  him  at  head- 
(juarters  at  N'ew^town,  Bucks  County,  a  few 
miles  southwest  of  Trenton.  General  Israel 
Putnam  was  put  in  charge  of  the  defenses  at 
Philadelphia  At  this  time  in  the  war, 
both  General  Howe  and  Lord  Cornwallis, 
who  had  followed  Washington  to  Trenton, 
decided  to  return  to  N'ew  York,  leaving  a 
small  detachment  of  troops  near  Trenton, 
believing  that  they  could  resist  any  attacks 
of  the  shattered  army  under  Washington. 

During  this  dark  period  of  the  war 
Washington  began  to  show  the  military 
genius  and  self  command  that  soon  made 
him  loom  up  as  the  dominating  personality 
of  the  Revolution.  He  planned  a  bold  at- 
tack to  capture  the  advanced  posts  of  the 
British  at  Trenton.  The  militia  of  the  ad- 
joining states  was  called  out  in  the  dead  of 
winter  and  in  a  few  weeks  he  had  a  con- 
siderable army  stationed  at  different  posts 
from  a  point  eight  miles  above  Trenton  on 
the  Pennsylvania  side  of  the  Delaware  and 
down  that  stream  to  Germantown,  a  short 
distance  from  Philadelphia.  He  placed  Sul- 
livan at  Bristol,  a  few  miles  above  Philadel- 
phia, with  two  thousand  troops,  formerly 
connnanded  by  General  Charles  Lee,  who 
had  been  captured  at  Elizabeth  while  on  the 
retreat  across  New  Jersey. 

General  James  Ewing,  of  York 
General  County,  was  put  in  command 
Ewing's  of  a  brigade  of  Pennsylvania 
Command,  and  X'^ew  Jersey  militia  with 
instructions  from  Washington 
to  guard  the  Delaware  from  the  ferry  at 
Trenton  down  the  river  to  a  point  opposite 
Bordentown,  New  Jersey.  His  force  was 
composed  of  the  remnants  of  the  Flying 
Camp,  which  met  such  heavy  losses  at  Long 
Island  and  Fort  Washington,  and  recruits 
from  the  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey 
militia.  Colonel  Richard  McAllister,  com- 
manding the  second  regiment  of  the  Flying 
Camp,  was  present  with  Ewing,  but  havinfj- 
lost  heavily  in  former  engagements,  now 
had  .  fewer     than      three      hundred      men. 


THE  REVOLUTION 


189 


Washington  took  position  nine  miles  above 
I'renton  at  a  point  \\here  the  river  is  not 
more  than  one  hundred  yards  wide.  The 
British  army  was  stationed  in  a  semi-circle 
with  Trenton  as  the  center  of  the  arc. 

Washington's  plan  was,  by  a  sudden  at- 
tack, to  overwhelm  the  British  center  at 
Trenton,  and  thus  force  the  army  to  retreat 
to  New  York.  The  Delaware  was  to  be 
crossed  in  three  divisions.  The  right  wing, 
2,000  men,  under  Gates,  was  to  attack 
Count  Donop  at  Burlington ;  Ewing,  with 
the  centre,  was  to  cross  a  short  distance  be- 
low Trenton;  while  Washington'  himself, 
v.-ith  the  left  wing,  was  to  cross  nine  miles 
above,  and  march  down  upon  Trenton  from 
the  north.  On  Christmas  day  all  was  ready, 
but  the  beginning  of  the  enterprise  was  not 
auspicious.  Gates,  who  preferred  to  go  and 
intrigue  with  Congress,  succeeded  in  beg- 
ging off,  and  started  for  Baltimore.  Cad- 
walader,  who  took  his  place,  tried  hard  to 
get  his  men  and  artillery  across  the  river, 
but  was  baffled  by  the  huge  masses  of  float- 
ing ice,  and  reluctantly  gave  up  the  attempt. 
Ewing  was  so  discouraged  that  he  did  not 
even  try  to  cross,  and  both  ofificeri  took  it 
for  granted  that  Washington  must  be  foiled 
in  like  manner. 

But    Washington    was    desper- 

Crossing       ately  in  earnest,  and  although 

the  at     sunset,     just     as     he     had 

Delaware,     reached    his    crossing-place,    he 

was  informed  by  a  special  mes- 
senger of  the  failure  of  Ewing  and  Cad- 
walader,  he  determined  to  go  on  and  make 
the  attack  with  the  2,500  men  whom  he  had 
with  him.  The  great  blocks  of  ice,  borne 
swiftly  along  by  the  powerful  current, 
made  the  passage  extremely  dangerous,  but 
Glover,  with  his  skilful  fishermen  of  Marble- 
head,  succeeded  in  ferrying  the  little  army 
across  without  the  loss  of  a  man  or  a  gun. 
More  than  ten  hours  were  consumed  in  the 
passage,  and  then  there  was  a  march  of  nine 
miles  to  be  made  in  a  blinding  storm  of 
snow  and  sleet.  They  pushed  rapidly  on  in 
two  columns,  led  b}^  Greene  and  Sullivan 
respectively,  drove  in  the  enemy's  pickets 
at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  and  entered  the 
town  by  different  roads  soon  after  sunrise. 
A\  ashington's  gtms  were  at  once  planted  so 
as  to  sweep  the  streets,  and  after  Colonel 
Rahl  and  seventeen  of  his  men  had  been 
slain,  the  whole  body  of  Hessians,  1,000  in 


number,  surrendered.  Of  the  .\mericans, 
two  were  frozen  to  deatli  on  the  march  and 
two  were  killed  in  action. 

Captain  Henry  Miller's  company 
York         of  the   First   Pennsylvania  Reg- 
Troops       inient  performed  valiant  services 
at  in    this    engagement.      Most    of 

Trenton,  the  men  in  his  command  at 
Trenton  were  the  same  soldiers 
who  had  enlisted  at  York  in  1775,  and 
marched  with  him  to  Boston.  In  referring 
to  the  battle,  Captain  ^ililler  wrote: 

"General  Stephen's  brigade  entered  Tren- 
ton and  routed  the  Hessians.  Washington 
desired  our  regiment  to  lead  the  advance, 
which  we  did.  We  formed  in  line  of  battle 
and  advanced  within  sixty  yards  of  the 
Hessians  without  firing  a  gun.  We  moved 
with  such  rapidity  and  determination  that 
we  struck  them  with  terror.  The  enemy 
grounded  their  arms,  and  919  Hessians  sur- 
rendered as  prisoners  of  war." 

Colonel  Miles'  Pennsylvania  Regiment 
served  in  Lord  Stirling's  brigade  and  took 
a  leading  part  at  the  battle  of  Trenton  in 
the  capture  of  the  Hessians.  Miles  him- 
self was  a  prisoner  of  war  in  the  hands  of 
the  British,  having  been  captured  at  the 
battle  of  Long  Island,  nearly  five  months 
before.  In  this  engagement  the  regiment 
was  commanded  by  Major  Williams.  Cap- 
tain Albright's  company  of  York  County 
troops  had  lost  thirty  men,  or  about  half  its 
number  in  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners  at 
Long  Island.  The  companj^  entered  the 
battle  of  Trenton  with  about  thirty  men, 
who  rendered  valiant  services  in  winning 
this  famous  victory. 

The  news  of  the  victory  at  Trenton 
spread  rapidly.  To  convince  the  people  of 
what  had  happened,  the  Hessian  prisoners 
were  marched  through  the  streets  of  Phila- 
delphia, and  the  Hessian  flag  was  sent  to 
Baltimore  to  hang  in  the  hall  of  Congress. 
The  spirits  of  the  people  rose  with  a  great 
rebound,  the  cloud  of  depression  which 
rested  upon  the  country  was  lifted,  and  hope 
was  again  felt  everywhere.  Troops  came  in 
from  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey,  and  the 
New  England  men  agreed  to  stay  after  the 
expiration  of  their  term  of  enlistment. 

The  blow  struck  bj^  \\'ashington  fell 
heavily  upon  the  British.  Even  with  their 
powerful  army  thej'  could  not  afford  to  lose 
a  thousand  men  at  a  stroke,  nor  would  their 


190 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY.    PEXXSYLVAXIA 


prestige  bear  sucli  sudden  disaster.  It  was 
clear  even  to  tlie  mind  of  Howe  that  tlie 
.\merican  Revolution  was  not  over,  and  that 
Washington  and  his  victorious  army  held 
the  field.  Trenton  must  be  redeemed  and 
they  determined  to  finish  the  business  at 
once. 

After  the  defeat  of  the  British 
Movement     at    Trenton   through   the   mili- 

After  tary    genius     of     \\'ashington, 

Trenton.  Lord  Cornwallis,  who  had 
gone  to  New  York,  returned 
in  haste  to  attack  the  American  army.  De- 
cember 30,  V\'ashington  recrossed  the  Dela- 
ware and  took  post  at  Trenton,  where  he 
was  joined  by  Cadwalader  and  Mifflin,  each 
with  1.800  Pennsylvania  militia.  On  the 
morning  of  January  2  Cornwallis  advanced 
with  8,000  men  upon  Trenton,  but  his 
march  was  slow. 

As  sooH  as  General  Washington  had  pro- 
cured definite  information  of  the  strength 
and  position  of  the  enemy,  he  sent  out. 
under  Brigadier-General  de  Fermoy,  a  de- 
tachment, consisting  of  his  own  brigade. 
Colonel  Edward  Hand's  Pennsylvania  rifle- 
men, and  Colonel  Hausegger's  German  bat- 
talion, with  Colonel  Charles  Scott's  Vir- 
ginia Continental  regiment,  and  two  guns- 
of  Captain  Forrest's  battery,  to  harass  the 
enemy  in  every  possible  way,  and  to  dispute 
their  advance  as  much  as  they  were  able, 
that  the  impending  battle  might  be  post- 
poned at  least  twenty-four  hours.  The 
.Vmericans  posted  themselves  a  short  dis- 
tance south  of  the  village  of  Maidenhead, 
with  pickets  up  to  the  town.  The  British 
outposts  were  about  a  mile  north  of  Maiden- 
head. This  was  the  state  of  af¥airs  on  the 
old  Princeton  road  at  the  close  of  New 
Year's  day. 

About  this  time  the  commanders  of  regi- 
ments on  the  advance  lines  of  the  x\merican 
army,  finding  that  General  de  Fermoy  had 
returned  to  Trenton  in  a  very  questionable 
manner,  determined  to  resist  the  advance  of 
the  king's  troops  without  further  orders. 
.About  10  o'clock  the  first  alarm  gun  was 
fired  by  the  American  \idettes.  Colonel 
Hand,  with  his  splendid  regiment  of  rifle- 
men.  Captain  Henry  Miller,  of  his  command 
being  in  charge  of  the  skirmish  line,  con- 
ducted the  retreat  to  Trenton.  Every 
place  which  would  even  for  a  few  moments 
give  shelter  from  which  to  take   a  steady 


aim  was  taken  ad\antage  of' and  every  part 
of  the  road  was  disputed  in  all  possible 
ways.  On  one  occasion  so  stubborn  a  stand 
was  made  by  the  Americans  that  a  check 
was  produced  on  the  British  advance.  They 
actually  fell  back  and  the  patriots  carefully 
pressed  toward  them.  At  last,  howe\er,  the 
American  detachment  w^as  driven  to  the 
woods  running  along  the  south  bank  of  the 
Shabbakonk  Creek,  and  here  a  severe  skir- 
mish commenced  about  one  o'clock,  and  a 
deadly  fire  was  made  upon  the  British 
forces,  throwing  them  into  considerable 
confusion. 

For    a    long   time    this    conflict 

On  to        was     maintained     with     great 

Princeton,     vigor,    and    the    battalions    of 

von  Linsingen  and  Block,  a 
part  of  Colonel  \'on  Donop's  original  com- 
mand, were  drawn  up  in  order  of  battle,  ex- 
pecting then  and  there  to  enter  upon  the 
general  engagement  which  they  anticipated. 
For  fully  three  hours  the  gallant  little 
American  force,  somewdiat  protected  by  the 
dense  woods,  harassed  the  red  coats  and 
continually  thinned  their  ranks  with 
musketry  and  artillery.  Right  well  did 
they  carry  out  the  plan  of  General  Wash- 
ington to  consume  the  entire  day.  if  pos- 
sible, in  skirmishing  and  so  retard  the 
enemy's  advance  tow^trci^^Trenton.  Wash- 
ington was  well  pleased  with  the  all-day 
running  fight  and  begged  the  little  party 
not  to  yield  until  compelled  to.  A  battery 
of  British  artillery  was  soon  afterward 
brought  into  position  and  made  every  effort 
to  dislodge  the  American  advance  force. 
Nearly  an  hour  was  consumed  before  the 
patriot  band,  unable  any  longer  to  sustain 
themselves,  began  again  to  yield  the  ground 
and  retreat  down  the  Brunswick  road  into 
the  village,  having  captured  some  twenty- 
fi\-e  or  thirty  men  during  the  day.  In  this 
way  the  last  determined  stand  beyond  the 
town  was  taken,  and  a's  the  Americans  be- 
gan to  retreat,  the  advance  party  of  the 
Britis'h,  about  1,500  men,  again  commenced 
their  march  in  column,  the  main  army  being 
still  a  consideralile  distance  in  the  rear. 

The  ad\-ance  guard  of  Cornwallis's  army 
pressed  on,  driving  the  Americans  before 
them,  and  killing  some,  until  they  ai'rived 
at  the  narrow  stone  bridge  which  spanned, 
with  but  one  arch,  the  Assunpink  Creek. 
The   detachment   of   skirmishers   which   all 


THE  REVOLUTION 


191 


day  long  had  hovered  before  and  around 
the  enemy,  hastily,  although  with  difficulty, 
crowded  through  the  passage  at  the  bridge 
scarcely  sixteen  feet  wide.  Colonel  Hitch- 
cock's l)rigade  protected  these  weary  men 
as  they  filed  across  the  bridge  and  took  their 
places  with  the  main  army.  General  Wash- 
ington himself  was  on  horseback  at  one  end 
of  the  bridge,  overlooking  the  scene,  and 
by  his  personal  exposure  inspired  his  men 
with  courage  and  confidence.  It  was  then 
after  5  o'clock  and  rapidly  growing  dark. 
With  the  light  made  by  the  firing,  it  could 
l)e  seen  that  the  advance  of  the  king's 
troops,  entirely  unaware  of  the  force  now 
before  them,  had  pressed  on  until  they  were 
within  range  of  the  American  guns.  They 
made  three  fruitless  efforts  to  reach  and 
cross  the  bridge,  but  found  further  pursuit 
checked,  and  were  unable  to  endure  the  con- 
centrated fire.  The  effect  of  this  fire  upon 
them  was  extremely  uncertain,  and  doubt- 
less will  never  be  correctly  ascertained,  as 
no  mention  of  loss  is  made  in  any  British 
official  reports.  The  loss  of  the  American 
army  was  small. 

BATTLE  OF  PRINCETON. 

Many  of  the  British  officers  urged  a  gen-" 
eral  and  renewed  attack,  but  the  short  w-in- 
ter  day  was  drawing  to  a  close,  and  Corn- 
wallis  decided  to  wait  until  morning. 
Washington  had  spent  the  day  with  stub- 
born skirmishing,  for  he  had  no  intention  of 
fighting  a  pitched  battle  with  his  poorly 
armed  men,  inferior  in  numbers  to  their 
well-equipped  opponents,  who  had  received 
reinforcements  in  the  morning.  He  had 
checked  the  enemy  all  day,  and  he  had  now 
the  night  in  which  to  act,  so  he  set  the  men 
to  work  on  entrenchments,  lighted  camp 
fires  along  the  river  bank,  and  having  con- 
vinced Cornwallis  that  he  would  be  there 
in  the  morning,  he  marched  ofif  with  his 
whole  army  at  midnight,  leaving  his  fires 
burning.  By  daybreak  he  was  near  Prince- 
ton, and  moved  with  the  main  army  straight 
for  the  town,  while  Mercer  was  detached 
with  three  hundred  men  to  destroy  the 
bridge  which  gave  the  most  direct  connec- 
tion with  Cornwallis. 

Toward  sunrise,  as  the  British  detach- 
ment was  coming  down  the  road  from 
Princeton  to  Trenton,  in  obedience  to  Corn- 
wallis' order,  its  van,  imder  Colonel  Maw- 


hood,  met  the  foremost  column  of  Ameri- 
cans approaching,  under  General  Mercer. 
As  he  caught  sight  of  the  Americans,  Maw- 
hood  thought  that  they  must  be  a  party  of 
fugitives,  and  hastened  to  intercept  them; 
but  he  was  soon  undeceived. 

'I'he   -Americans   attacked   with 

General        \igor,    and    a    sharp   fight    was 

Mercer        sustained,     with     varying    for- 

Wounded.     tunes,  until  Mercer  was  pierced 

Ijy  a  bayonet,  and  his  men 
began  to  fall  Ijack  in  some  confusion.  Just 
at  this  critical  moment  \\'ashington  came 
galloping  upon  the  field  and  rallied  the 
troops,  and  as  the  entire  forces  on  both 
sides  had  now  come  up,  the  fight  became 
general.  In  a  few'  minutes  the  British  were 
routed  and  their  line  cut  in  two;  one  half 
fleeing  toward  Trenton,  the  other  half  to- 
ward Xew  Brunswick.  There  was  little 
slaughter,  as  the  whole  fight  did  not  occupy 
more  than  twenty  minutes.  'The  British 
lost  about  200  in  killed  and  wounded,  with 
300  prisoners,  and  their  cannon;  the  Ameri- 
can loss  was  less  than  100.  The  brave 
General  Mercer  died  of  his  w^ound. 


CHAPTER  XIV 

REVOLUTION— Continued. 

Campaign  of  1777 — Battles  of  Brandywine, 
Paoli  and  Germantown — Washington  at 
Valley  Forge — York  Troops  at  Mon- 
mouth— Major  John  Clark — General 
Henry  Miller — Hartley's  Regiment — 
Colonel  Thomas  Hartley. 

The  American  army  had  been  defeated  at 
Long  Island  and  Fort  \\'ashington,  but 
through  the  masterly  skill  of  the  com- 
mander-in-chief, it  had  won  decisive  victo- 
ries at  Trenton  and  Princeton.  In  a  brief 
campaign  of  three  weeks.  Washington  had 
rallied  the  fragments  of  a  defeated  and 
liroken  army,  taken  nearly  two  thousand 
prisoners  and  recovered  the  state  of  New 
Jersey.  By  sheer  force  of  military  capacity, 
he  had  completely  turned  the  tide  of  popu- 
lar feeling.  His  army  began  to  grow  by  the 
accession  of  fresh  recruits.  Newly  organ- 
ized regiments  of  the  Pennsylvania  line 
joined  him  in  the  early  part  of  1777.    These 


192 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY,    PEXXSYLVAXIA 


included  the  regiments  commanded  by 
Colonel  Tliomas  Hartley  and  Colonel  David 
Grier,  of  York.  Although  the  term  of  en- 
listment of  the  Flying  Camp  had  expired, 
their  places  were  taken  by  regiments  of 
Pennsylvania  militia,  including"  several  com- 
mands from  west  of  the  Susquehanna  River. 
Flushed  with  his  victories  at  Trenton  and 
Princeton,  Washington  defied  the  British, 
and  spent  the  winter  in  camp  at  Morris- 
town,  near  New  York  City,  then  held  by  the 
British.  Even  Frederick  the '  Great,  of 
Prussia,  the  most  famous  military  chieftain 
of  the  day,  in  a  public  declaration,  com- 
mended Washington  for  his  successful  cam- 
paign in  New  Jersey. 

Although  at  one  time  threat- 
Enlarging  ened  by  the  invading  foe,  Phila- 
the  Army,     delphia    still    remained    in    the 

hands  of  the  Americans.  From 
December  20,  1776,  to  February  27,  1777, 
Congress  held  its  sessions  in  Baltimore. 
In  consequence  of  the  alarming  state  of  af- 
fairs on  December  27,  three  days  after  as- 
sembling in  a  three-story  building  on  the 
southwest  corner  of  Baltimore  and  Sharp 
Streets,  in  that  city.  Congress  invested 
Washington  for  six  months  with  extraor- 
dinary powers.  It  authorized  him  to  raise 
and  officer  sixteen  additional  battalions  of 
infantry,  three  thousand  light  horse,  three 
regiments  of  artillery  and  a  corps  of  engi- 
neers, to  appoint  and  remove  officers  under 
the  rank  of  brigadier-general,  and  take,  at 
a  fair  compensation,  any  private  property 
needed  for  the  maintenance  of  the  army. 

The  British  army  under  Howe  remained 
in  New  York  City  durmg  the  winter,  while 
AX'ashington  continued  at  jMorristown. 
Early  in  June,  Howe  laid  his  plans  for  an- 
other campaign  across  New  Jersey  with  the 
ultimate  purpose  of  capturing  Philadelphia. 
He  left  New  York  City  with  18,000  men  and 
plenty  of  boats  to  cross  the  Delaware  if  he 
reached  that  stream.  Washington,  with 
8,000  men,  left  his  winter  encampment  at 
Morristown  and  planted  his  army  at  JMid- 
dlebrook,  ten  miles  from  New  Brunswick. 
A  campaign  of  eighteen  days  ensued,  con- 
sisting of  wily  marches  and  counter- 
marches, the  result  of  wdiich  showed  that 
Washington's  advantage  of  position  could 
not  be  wrested  from  him.  Howe  being  too 
prudent  to  attack  Washington,  abandoned 
his  plan  and  returned  to  New  York. 


Early  in  the  same  year  Gen- 
Howe  eral  Burgoyne,  with  an  army 
Approaches  of  10,000  British  and  Hes- 
Philadelphia.  sians,  was  ordered  to  de- 
scend the  Hudson  to  New 
York  and  thus  separate  New  England  from 
the  other  states  and  divide  the  country  in 
twain.  Washington  at  first  believed  that 
Howe  would  go  to  the  assistance  of  Bur- 
goyne, but  early  in  July,  leaving  7,000 
troops  under  Sir  Henry  Clinton  in  New 
York,  Howe's  army  of  18,000  men  em- 
barked in  228  vessels  and  put  to  sea.  Just 
before  sailing  he  wrote  a  letter  to  Burgoyne, 
stating  that  his  destination  was  Boston  and 
artfully  contrived  that  the  letter  should  fall 
into  Washington's  hands.  But  the  Ameri- 
can general,  believing  that  he  was  going 
southward,  placed  Putnam  in  the  Highlands 
with  4,000  men,  and  with  the  balance  of  the 
army,  moved  toward  Philadelphia,  which 
he  anticipated  that  Howe  had  determined  to 
capture.  July  3,  the  British  army  was 
sighted  off  the  capes'  of  Delaware.  Fearing 
that  the  river  was  carefully  guarded,  Howe 
moved  his  fleet  up  the  Chesapeake,  and 
after  a  sail  of  400  miles,  arrived  at  the  head 
of  Elk  River,  near  Elkton,  Maryland,  Au- 
'gust  25.  On  hearing"  this  news,  Washing- 
ton advanced  to  Wilmington,  Delaware. 
Immediately  after  landing",  Howe  issued  a 
proclamation  of  amnesty,  but  few  of  the 
Americans  sympathized  enough  with  the 
British  to  give  them  much  assistance. 

BATTLE  OF  BRANDYWINE.' 

Meantime  Washington's  forces  were  in- 
creased by  the  arrival  of  3,000  troops  from 
Pennsylvania  and  adjoining  states.  He 
now  determined  to  offer  battle,  although  he 
had  only  11,000  men  to  contend  with 
Howe's  18,000  trained  soldiers.  Brandy- 
wine  Creek  was  in  the  line  of  march  from 
Howe's  position  to  Philadelphia.  Wash- 
ington placed  his  army  at  Chad's  Ford," the 
leading  crossing  place  of  this  stream.  It 
was  here  the  battle  took  place  September 
II,  1777,  resulting  in  a  loss  of  1,000  Ameri- 
can soldiers  in  killed,  wounded  and  cap- 
tured. The  British  loss  exceeded  that  num- 
ber. 

In  the  battle  of  Brandywine,  Washington 
placed  the  center  of  his  army  just  behind 
Chad's  Ford  and  across  the  road.  In  front 
of  this  center,  he  planted  Proctor's  artillery. 


THE    REVOLUTION 


193 


which  was  supported  by  a  division  of  Penn- 
sylvania troo])s  under  General  Anthony 
\\'ayne.  Colonel  Hartley,  of  York,  had 
command  of  the  first  britjade  in  this 
division.  Colonel  Edward  Hand,  of  Lan- 
caster, having  been  promoted  to  the  rank  of 
brigadier-general,  the  First  Pennsylvania 
Line,  formerly  Hand's  regiment,  was  com- 
manded by  Colonel  James  Chambers,  of 
Cumberland,  later  Franklin  County.  This 
regiment  had  in  line  at  Brandywine  many 
of  the  same  York  County  troops  who  had 
fought  under  Captain  Henry  Miller  at  Long 
Island,  Trenton  and  Princeton.  ]\Iiller 
having  been  promoted  to  the  rank  of  major. 
James  Matson  succeeded  to  the  command 
of  the  company.  Michael  Simpson,  of  York 
ICounty,  was  captain  of  another  company  of 
this  regiment.  The  Seventh  Pennsylvania 
regiment,  commanded  Ijy  Colonel  David 
Grier,  served  in  Wayne's  brigade.  It  con- 
tained a  large  number  of  York  County 
troops. 

Lewis  Bush  served  as  major  of  Hartley's 
regiment,  and  some  of  its  captains  at 
Brandywine  were  Benjamin  Stoddard.  Evan 
Edwards.  George  Ross,  Archibald  McAl- 
lister, Robert  Hoopes  and  James  Kenny. 
Captain  McAllister  was  a  son  of  Richard 
I\Ic.\llister,  of  Hano\er,  Avho  had  com- 
manded the  First  Regiment  of  the  Flying 
Camp.  Some  of  the  lieutenants  of  Hart- 
ley's regiment  in  this  battle  were  Andrew 
A\'alker.  Joseph  Davis,  Isaac  Sweeny,  Henry 
Carberrv,  James  Dill.  James  Lemon,  Martin 
Eichelberger  and  William  Lemon.  Of  this 
list,  Dill,  Walker  and  Eichelberger  were 
from  York  County.  At  daybreak  of  Sep- 
tember II,  General  Knyphausen,  with  7.000 
troops,  drove  in  the  advance  of  Wayne's 
division,  across  the  Brandywine  a^  Chad's 
Ford.  General  Armstrong,  commanding 
the  Pennsylvania  militia,  occupied  the  ex- 
treme left  of  \\  ashington's  arnn-,  and  was 
stationed  on  clitifs,  a  short  distance  south 
of  Wayne's  position.  General  Greene,  upon 
whose  staff  Major  Clark,  of  York,  was  then 
serving,  commanded  the  reserves  in  support 
of  General  Wayne's  division.  The  right 
wing  of  the  American  army,  stretching  two 
miles  up  the  Brandywine,  was  commanded 
by  General  Sullivan.  Lord  Cornwallis.  with 
the  left  of  the  British  army,  crossed  the 
Brandywine  in  the  afternoon  a  short  dis- 
tance up  the  stream  and  came  in  on  Sulli- 


van's right  flank,  when  a  terrible  conflict 
ensued.  The  artillery  of  both  armies 
opened  with  terrible  effect,  and  the  conflict 
became  general  and  severely  contested.  Sul- 
li\an  was  slowly  pushed  back,  being  over- 
powered by  the  large  British  force,  and  De- 
borre's  brigade,  stationed  below  him,  broke 
and  fled  in  confusion.  The  brigades  under 
Lord  Sterling  and  General  Conway  stood 
firm.  Meantime,  Sullivan  and  Lafayette, 
unable  to  rally  the  fugitives,  went  to  the  as- 
sistance of  Sterling  and  Conway. 

The  youthful  Lafayette,  whom 
Lafayette  Congress  had  just  commis- 
Wounded.  sioned  a  brigadier-general,  now 
received  his  first  baptism  of 
fire.  In  order  to  act  more  efficiently,  he  dis- 
mounted, and  while  fighting  in  the  line,  was 
wounded  in  the  leg.  At  this  juncture.  Gen- 
eral Washington,  with  the  brigades  of 
Greene,  Weedon  and  Muhlenberg,  hastened 
to  strengthen  General  Sullivan,  but  they  did 
not  arrive  in  time  to  prevent  the  retreat. 
By  a  skillful  movement,  Greene  opened  his 
ranks  and  received  the  fugitives  and  covered 
their  retreat,  checking  the  advance  and  kept 
the  enemy  at  bay  until  dark. 

Late  in  the  afternoon.  General  Knyp- 
hausen crossed  the  Brandywine  at  Chad's 
Ford  and  made  a  violent  attack  upon 
Wayne's  division.  Wayne  held  his  position 
gallantly  and  with  his  Pennsylvania  troops 
dealt  a  terrible  blow  upon  the  enemy.  Hear- 
ing of  the  defeat  of  the  right  wing,  his  gal- 
lant Pennsylvanians  who  had  fought  so 
bravely,  were  ordered  by  the  commanding 
general  to  retreat.  In  order  to  protect  his 
men.  Wayne  left  the  artillery  in  the  hands 
of  the  enemy  and  fell  back  to  Greene,  who 
protected  him  from  a  rout.  The  militia 
under  the  command  of  General  Armstrong, 
being  posted  about  two  miles  below  Chad's 
Ford,  had  no  opportunity  of  engaging  the 
enem}-.  During  the  succeeding  night,  the 
defeated  forces  of  General  \\  ashington  re- 
treated to  Chester  and  on  the  following  day 
to  Germantown,  where  they  went  into 
camp. 

William  Russel.  of  York  County, 

Ensign      residing    at    Abbottstown,  lost    a 
William     leg  by  a  cannon  ball  in  the  battle 

Russel.      of  Brandywine.     In  this  engage- 
ment he  was  the  ensign  for  the 
Thir<l   Pennsyhania  regiment,  and  in   1779 
Colonel  Henry  Miller  and  Major  Jolm  Clark 


13 


194 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY,    PEXXSYLVAXIA 


requested  tlie  State  of  Pennsylvania  to 
grant  Ensign  Russel  a  certificate  due  to  his 
merit,  and  a  pension  because  he  behaved  as 
a  good  and  dutiful  soldier,  and  liis  woimd 
pre\-ented  him  from  receiving  promotion. 
Ensign  Russel  had  served  as  a  pri\-ate  in  the 
first  company  that  left  York  for  Boston, 
July.  1775. 

THE  BATTLE  OF  PAOLI. 

I'he  liattle  of  Paoli,  memoraljle  in  the 
annals  of  history,  was  one  of  the  most  im- 
portant engagements  of  the  Revolution,  in 
which  York  County  troops  participated.  It 
ended  in  the  defeat  of  the  Pennsylvania 
troops  under  General  Wayne,  owing  to  the 
superior  force  of  the  British.  In  this  bat- 
tle the  troops  from  west  of  the  Susquehanna 
suttered  almost  as  severely  as  those  from 
the  same  region  who  fought  so  bravely  in 
the  battle  of  Fort  Washington,  which  took 
place  in  November  of  the  previous  year. 
The  Seventh  Pennsylvania  regiment,  com- 
manded by  Colonel  David  Grier,  of  York, 
took  a  very  prominent  part  in  this  battle. 
In  the  Seventh  Regiment  were  the  York 
County  companies  of  Captain  John  Mc- 
Dowell and  Captain  ^^'illiam  Alexander. 
The  former  had  succeeded  Captain  Moses 
McClean  after  he  became  a  prisoner  of  war 
in  the  first  Canadian  campaign,  and  the  lat- 
ter succeeded  Captain  David  Grier,  when 
he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  major,  in 
October,  1776. 

The  First  Pennsylvania  regiment,  which, 
under  Colonel  William  Thompson,  of  Car- 
lisle, had  won  a  brilliant  record  in  front  of 
Boston,  in  1775,  and  under  Colonel  Edward 
Hand,  of  Lancaster,  at  Long  Island,  Tren- 
ton and  Princeton,  was  commanded  by 
Colonel  James  Chambers,  of  Cumberland 
County,  in  the  battles  of  Paoli  and  German- 
town.  In  this  regiment  were  the  York 
County  volunteers  who  had  marched  to 
Boston  under  Captain  Michael  Doudel  in 
the  summer  of  1775,  and  later  fought  with 
gallantry  under  Captain  Henry  Miller  at 
Long  Island,  White  Plains,  Trenton  and 
Princeton.  The  company  was  now  in  com- 
mand of  Captain  James  Matson.  Captain 
Miller  had  been  promoted  to  the  rank  of 
major  in  the  same  regiment. 

After  the  l^attle  of  Brandywine  on  Sep- 
tember II,  Washington's  army  fell  back  to 
Chester  and  from  thence  marched  to  Phila- 


delphia to  defend  that  city  from  the  ad- 
vancing British  under  Howe.  On  Septem- 
ber 16,  Wayne's  division  of  Pennsylvania 
troops  met  a  force  of  the  British  at  the 
Warren  tavern,  twenty-three  miles  south- 
west of  Philadelphia.  The  American  troops 
began  the  engagement  with  an  impetuosity 
characteristic  of  their  commander,  but  a 
heavy  shower  coming  up  prevented  a  con- 
tinuance of  the  engagement. 

Washington     now     sent     Wayne, 

A  with  1,500  men  and  four  pieces  of 

Night  cannon,  to  annoy  the  rear  of  the 
Attack.  British  forces  and  attempt  to  cut 
off  their  baggage  train.  General 
Smallwood,  with  eleven  hundred  and  fifty 
Maryland  militia,  and  Colonel  Gist,  from 
the  same  state,  with  seven  hundred  men, 
were  ordered  to  unite  their  forces  with 
Wayne  and  act  under  his  direction.  After 
a  secret  march  A\'ayne,  with  his  Pennsyl- 
\'ania  troops,  occupied  a  secluded  spot  about 
three  miles  southwest  of  the  enemy's  line. 
Howe,  hearing  of  this  movement  for  the 
])urpose  of  cutting  off  his  wagon  train,  sent 
General  Grey  with  a  considerable  force  to 
surprise  Wayne  and  drive  liim  from  his 
position. 

"At  nine  P.  M.,  September  20,"  says 
General  Wayne,  "  a  farmer  living  near,  in- 
formed me  before  Colonels  Hartley,  Brod- 
head  and  Temple,  that  the  enemy  intended 
to  attack  me  that  night.  I  sent  out  \-idettes 
to  patrol  all  the  roads  leading  to  the 
enemy's  camp." 

One  of  the  videttes  returned  and  notified 
the  general  that  the  enemy  was  approach- 
ing. General  ^\'ayne  now  commanded  all 
his  troops  to  form,  having  pre\iously  or- 
dered them  to  lie  on  their  arms,  ready  for 
any  emergency.  Then  selecting  the  First 
Pennsylvania  and  the  light  infantry,  he 
formed  them  on  the  right  toward  which  the 
attacking  party  was  approaching.  He  re- 
mained with  this  force,  but  owing  to  in- 
feriority of  numbers,  was  unal^le  to  contend 
with  the  impetuous  charge  of  the  British, 
who  were  ordered  to  use  only  bayonets  and 
give  no  quarters. 

At     this     point     in     the     attack, 

A  Colonel    Humpton,    commanding 

Bayonet     one  of  the  regiments  to  the  left, 

Charge.      failed  to  promptly  obey  Wayne's 

orders.     This  delay  proved  fatal 

and   the   l)runt   of  the  battle   fell   upon  the 


THE    REVOLUTIOX 


195 


Seventh  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  under 
Colonel  David  Grier.  Humpton's  regiment 
now  fell  back  in  confusion,  the  Maryland 
militia  failed  to  appear.  The  British  troops 
rushed  on  the  Americans  with  great  im- 
petuosity, and  obeying  the  commands  of 
their  superior  officers,  forced  the  Pennsyl- 
vania troops  back  at  the  point  of  the  bay- 
onet. The  cry  for  ciuarters  was  unheeded. 
The  British  bayonet  now  did  its  work  with 
savage  ferocity.  Wayne  had  been  outnum- 
bered and  defeated.  The  morning  sun 
looked  down  from  clear  skies  on  a  scene  of 
butchery,  probably  unparalleled  in  Ameri- 
can histor)-. 

The  American  loss  was  not  less  than 
three  hundred  in  killed  and  wounded,  many 
of  whom  were  from  west  of  the  Susque- 
hanna. About  seventy  became  prisoners  of 
war.  Colonel  Da\id  Grier,  of  York,  com- 
manding the  Seventh  Pennsylvania,  wdio 
was  conspicuous  for  his  gallantry  in  this 
battle,  was  twice  pierced  by  a  British 
bayonet. 

The  news  of  the  disaster,  known  as  the 
"Massacre  at  Paoli,"  brought  sadness  and 
sorrow  to  many  homes  in  York  and  Cum- 
berland Counties.  In  a  letter  from  Wayne 
to  General  W  ashington,  written  the  day 
after  the  battle,  he  says,  "I  must  in  justice 
to  Colonels  Hartley,  Humpton,  Brodhead, 
Grier,  Butler,  Hubley  and  indeed  every  field 
and  other  officer,  inform  your  excellency 
that  I  deri\-ed  every  assistance  possible  from 
those  gentlemen  on  this  occasion." 

Colonel    David    Grier,    who    com- 

Colonel     nianded     the     Seventh     Pennsyl- 

David       \ania    Regiment    at    Brandywine 

Grier.      and  Paoli,  had  a  brilliant  military 

career  during  the  Revolution.  He 
was  the  son  of  William  Grier,  one  of  the 
earliest  of  the  Scotch-Irish  settlers  who 
took  up  lands  in  the  Manor  of  Maske,  near 
the  site  of  Gettysburg,  and  was  born  there 
in  1742.  He  received  a  classical  education 
and  during  his  early  manhood  removed  to 
York,  where  he  entered  upon  the  study  of 
law  with  James  Smith,  who  became  one  of 
the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independ- 
ence. He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1771, 
and  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  at 
York.  During  the  French  and  Indian  war 
he  joined  a  military  company  which 
marched  against  the  Indians  on  the  frontier 
of  Pennsylvania.       At    the   opening   of   the 


Revolution  he  became  an  ardent  patriot.  In 
the  fall  of  1775  he  recruited  a  company  of 
sixty  men  from  York  County,  which  was 
assigned  to  the  Sixth  Pennsylvania  bat- 
talion. This  battalion,  under  command  of 
Colonel  William  Irvine,  took  a  prominent 
part  in  the  expedition  to  Canada.  It  was 
present  and  suffered  a  considerable  loss  in 
the  battle  of  Three  Rivers.  For  his  gal- 
lantry in  action  and  his  military  capacity. 
Captain  Grier  was  promoted  major  of  the 
battalion,  October,  1776.  He  returned  with 
his  command  to  Carlisle.  Later  he  was  as- 
signed to  command  the  Seventh  Pennsyl- 
\-ania  Regiment,  with  the  rank  of  lieutenant- 
colonel.  \\'hen  the  British  approached 
Philadelphia,  his  regiment  was  placed  iii 
\\'ayne"s  brigade,  and  with  it  Colonel  Grier 
took  a  conspicuous  part  in  the  battle  of 
Brandywine.  At  the  battle  of  Paoli,  as 
stated  above,  his  regiment  was  engaged  in 
the  hardest  fighting.  While  leading  his 
regiment,  endeavoring  to  repel  the  British 
assault,  he  was  twice  bayoneted,  receiving 
wounds  from  which  he  never  recovered. 
This  disabled  him  for  further  military  ser- 
vice in  the  field.  After  recovering  from  his 
wound  he  was  appointed  to  take  charge  of 
the  post  at  York,  where  he  rendered  efficient 
service  in  the  cjuartermaster's  department. 
After  the  war,  he  practiced  law  at  York  and 
became  one  of  the  leading  citizens  west  of 
the  Susquehanna.  He  was  elected  to  the 
General  Assembly  in  1783,  served  as  a  dele- 
gate to  the  Con\-ention  to  ratify  the  Federal 
Constitution  in  1787.  and  was  chosen  by  the 
Constitutionalists  one  of  the  first  presi- 
dential electors.  Colonel  (^rier  died  at 
York,  June  3,  1790. 

THE  BATTLE  OF  GERMANTOWN. 

After  the  battle  of  Brandywine,  Wash- 
ington retreated  toward  Philadelphia  and 
encamped  near  Germantown.  now  the 
northern  part  of  the  city.  Although  he 
had  suft'ered  a  serious  defeat  at  Brandywine 
on  September  11,  and  the  division  of  Penn- 
sylvania troops  under  Wayne,  had  been 
routed  at  Paoli  nine  days  later,  the  com- 
mander-in-chief was  undismayed.  Wash- 
ington's reserve  power  now  asserted  itself 
in  a  masterly  way.  Before  leaving  Phila- 
delphia. Continental  Congress  had  again 
clothed  him  with  extraordinary  powers 
which  he  used  with  discretionary  effect.     In 


196 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY,    PEXXSYLVAXIA 


obedience  to  his  request,  measures  were 
adopted  to  increase  tlie  army.  Continental 
troops  serving  on  distant  stations  were 
sunnnoned  to  his  assistance  and  the  militia 
from  Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey,  Maryland 
and  adjoining  states  were  called  out. 

Howe,  following  in  pursuit  of  the  Ameri- 
can armv.  took  possession  of  Philadelphia 
immediately  after  it  was  evacuated.  Antic- 
ipating the  approach  of  the  enemy.  Con- 
gress had  adjourned  on  the  23rd  of  Septem- 
ber to  meet  at  Lancaster  on  the  27th.  Still 
fearing  the  danger  of  an  approaching 
enemy,  after  holding  one  day's  session  at 
Lancaster,  Congress  adjourned  to  York, 
where  it  remained  nine  months,  holding  its 
"first  session  September  30th.  Meantime 
Flowe's  army  had  taken  possession  of  Phil- 
adelphia and  part  of  his  forces  encamped  at 
Germantown,  ten  miles  north  of  Independ- 
ence Hall.  Admiral  Howe,  commanding 
the  enemy's  fleet  which  had  brought  the 
British  army  to  the  head  of  the  Chesapeake, 
before  the  battle  of  Brandywine,  now  de- 
scended that  bay  and  moved  up  the  Dela- 
ware to  capture  the  force  below  Philadel- 
phia. 

Another  battle  was  now  imminent  near 
Philadelphia,  and  the  commanding  generals 
for  several  succeeding  days  were  engaged 
in  manouvering  their  armies  to  obtain  an 
advantageous  position.  After  holding  a 
conference  with  his  generals,  Washington 
determined  to  attack  the  camp  at  German- 
town.  The  morning  of  October  4  was  de- 
cided upon  as  the  time  for  the  attack. 

The  main  part  of  the  American 
Plan  of  army  was  encamped  fourteen 
Attack,  miles  northwest  of  the  enemy. 
On  the  evening  of  October  3rd, 
Washington  took  up  the  line  of  march  to- 
ward Germantown,  moving  in  person  with 
the  divisions  under  Sullivan  and  Wayne. 
The  Continental  troops  of  York  county 
were  serving  under  Wayne.  On  account  of 
the  roads  being  rough,  the  advance  of  the 
American  army  did  not  reach  the  outposts 
of  the  enemy  until  sunrise,  and  the  alarm 
was  quickly  given  to  the  British  camp.  Ac- 
cording to  the  plan  of  battle,  Conway's 
brigade  of  Sullivan's  division  moved  on  the 
right  flank  and  General  Armstrong  with 
1000  Pennsylvania  militia,  moved  on  the  ex- 
treme right  of  the  American  line  for  the 
purpose  of  attacking  the  British  left,  over- 


powering it  and  coming  in  on  his  rear.  The 
York  county  militia  served  in  this  command. 
The  divisions  under  Greene  and  Stephen 
flanked  by  the  brigade  of  McDougal,  formed 
the  left  of  the  American  line  for  the  purpose 
of  attacking  the  British  right.  The  New 
Jersey  and  Maryland  militia  moved  on  the 
extreme  left  of  the  .Americans,  with  the  pur- 
pose of  turning  the  right  of  the  British  line 
and  coming  in  on  the  rear.  The  other  bri- 
gades under  Stirling  were  held  in  reserve. 

'Fhe  battle  opened  by  Conway's  brigade 
of  Sullivan's  division  attacking  the  enemy's 
picket  line.  This  movement  ha\ing  been 
already  anticipated,  was  quickly  reinforced. 
Sullivan's  entire  division  moved  forward 
and  captured  the  enemy's  baggage  and 
camp  equipment.  The  Continental  troops 
under  Greene  and  the  Pennsylvania  militia 
under  Armstrong  failed  to  appear  at  the 
time  expected.  Wayne's  division  was  or- 
dered   to    move    toward    the    British    left. 

Washington  ordered  a  concentrated  at- 
tack of  all  his  forces  in  line  of  battle. 

Although     the     British    regiments 
Drove     were    Iving   liehind    entrenchments 

the  and  stone  walls,  the  forces  under 
British  Wayne  and  Sullivan,  the  centre  of 
Back,  the  .\merican  line,  moved  forward 
with  impetuosity  and  drove  the 
British  regulars  back  to  the  main  force  at 
Germantown.  W'hile  retreating,  the  Brit- 
ish took  advantage  of  every  dwelling  house 
or  other  building  as  a  defensive  fortress  to 
fire  upon  the  advancing  American  troops. 
One  of  these  buildings,  used  with  disastrous 
efl^ect,  was  the  large  stone  mansion  of  Ben- 
jamin Chew,  then  chief  justice  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. Six  companies  of  the  40th  British 
regiment  under  command  of  Colonel  Mus- 
grave,  threw  themselves  into  this  building, 
barricaded  the  doors  and  lower  windows 
and  opened  a  murderous  fire  on  the  Ameri- 
can troops  from  the  roof  and  upper  win- 
dows. After  leaving  a  regiment  to  guard 
this  house,  General  Wayne  pressed  onward 
and  with  Sullivan  continued  the  pursuit  a 
mile  further  through  the  streets  of  German- 
town,  while  the  reserve  under  Stirling  fol- 
lowed. In  this  onward  movement,  Wayne 
used  the  bayonet  in  driving  back  the  British, 
in  retaliation  for  the  massacre  at  Paoli. 
Conway  on  the  flank,  and  \N'ashington,  with 
Nash's  and  Maxwell's  brigades,  bore  down 
after  Sullivan,  and  would  ha\'e  made  the  day 


THE   REVOLUTION 


197 


fatal  to  the  British,  had  not  Colonel  Mus- 
grave  stationed  himself  in  the  Chew  man- 
sion. At  this  place  Washington  halted  with 
his  reserve  and  calle<l  upon  Musgrave  to 
surrender,  which  he  declined  to  do.  The 
British  opened  fire  upon  Ma-xwell's  brigade, 
causing. considerable  loss  of  life.  The  delay 
brought  about  by  this  affair  gave  Howe  in 
Germantown  an  opportunity  to  reform  his 
lines,  and  after  a  battle  which  lasted  in  all 
two  hours,  he  defeated  the  American  army. 
The  British  loss  in  this  battle  was  13  ofificers 
and  58  men  killed.  55  officers  and  395  men 
wounded.  The  American  loss  was  30  otft- 
cers  and  122  men  killed.  117  officers  and  404 
men  wounded,  and  about  50  officers  and  350 
men  taken  prisoners. 

The  cause  of  this  defeat  is  attrib- 
Cause  of  uted  to  the  use  of  the  Chew  house 
Defeat.  as  a  fortification,  and  the  con- 
fusion which  arose  between  the 
di\isions  of  Stephen  and  Wayne.  Owing 
to  a  dense  fog  and  the  incapacity  of  Stephen, 
his  brigade  fired  upon  W  ayne,  mistaking  his 
troops  for  the  enemy.  This  blunder  ruined 
the  Ijattle  and  gave  the  victory  to  the  Brit- 
ish forces. 

The  defeat  of  Washington  at  German- 
town  when  it  was  hoped  he  would  win  a 
victory,  was  a  sad  misfortune  to  the  cause 
of  American  Independence.  If  he  had  de- 
feated the  enemy  as  he  had  done  at  Trenton 
and  Princeton,  the  war  might  soon  ha\e 
been  brought  to  a  close. 

Congress  at  York,  eagerly  awaited  the 
result  of  this  battle.  The  gloom  and  de- 
spondency which  pervaded  this  body  and 
the  entire  thirteen  states  was  removed  after 
hearing  of  the  surrender  of  Btirgoyne  and 
his  entire  army  of  6000  men  at  Saratoga,  on 
October  19.  two  weeks  after  the  defeat  at 
(jcrmantown. 

MOVEMENTS  AFTER  GERMAN- 
TOWN. 

After  the  battle  of  Germantown.  Wash- 
ington kept  himself  thoroughly  informed 
concerning  the  movement  of  the  enemy  in 
and  about  Philadelphia.  Colonel  John 
Clark,  of  York,  who  had  served  with  dis- 
tinction in  the  Flying  Camp,  and  later  as  an 
aide  on  the  staff  of  General  Greene,  now 
acted  as  chief  of  scouts  for  Washington, 
frecjuently  bringing  the  commander-in-chief 


important  information.  The  weather  had 
already  become  severe.  During  the  latter 
part  of  November.  Washington  moved  with 
his  little  army  to  the  village  of  White 
Marsh,  situated  in  one  of  the  beautiful  val- 
leys of  Montgomery  county,  sixteen  miles 
northwest  of  Philadelphia.  After  holding 
a  council  with  his  subordinate  officers,  he 
determined  to  go  into  winter  quarters  at 
this  place,  unless  the  danger  of  the  situation 
required  him  to  find  a  better  location. 

Continental  Congress  was  now  in  session 
at  York,  pervaded  by  the  gloom  and  de- 
spondency which  had  spread  throughout  the 
country.  While  Congress  awaited  with 
eager  interest  the  success  of  the  campaign 
of  Gates  against  Burgoyne,  who  was  then 
attempting  to  come  down  the  Hudson,  cut 
the  coimtry  in  twain  and  join  the  British  in 
New  York,  this  body  also  looked  with  hope 
and  expectation  to  the  important  future  for 
the  army  under  Washington  and  the  defence 
of  the  forts  in  the  hands  of  the  Americans 
below  Philadelphia. 

On     December    3.     the     British 

The  army,  encouraged  by  its  success 
Affair  at  at  Brandywine  and  German- 
Chestnut     town,  moved  out  from  Philadel- 

Hill.  phia.  fifteen  thousand  strong,  to 
again  attack  the  American 
forces.  General  James  Irvines  brigade  of 
600  Pennsylvania  militia,  in  which  the  liat- 
talion  from  York  county  served,  was  or- 
dered to  the  left  of  the  American  line  in  the 
vicinity  of  Chestnut  Hill.  Irvine  engaged 
the  enemy  and  a  lively  skirmish  ensued. 
His  militia  broke  ranks  at  the  first  fire,  ow- 
ing to  the  superiority  of  the  enemy's  num- 
ber. In  this  engagement  which  lasted  but  a 
short  time,  the  British  lost  twelve  in  killed 
and  wounded.  Among  the  wounded  was 
Sir  James  Murray,  a  young  officer  serving 
in  a  regiment  of  light  infantry.  While  at- 
tempting to  rally  his  troops.  General  Irvine 
had  a  horse  shot  under  him,  lost  three  fin- 
gers by  a  bullet,  and  received  severe  bruises 
in  the  head  in  falling  from  his  horse  to  the 
ground.  Irvine  was  captured  with  five  of 
his  men  who  were  wounded.  He  was  held 
a  prisoner  of  war  in  Philadelphia  and  New 
York  until  June  i.  1781.  From  1782  to 
1793  he  was  major  general  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania militia,  vice-president  of  Pennsylvania 
and  one  of  the  first  trustees  of  Dickinson 
College. 


198 


HISTORY   (3F    YORK   COUNTY,    PEXXSYLVAXIA 


There    was    no    further   collision 
The  between    the    armies    until    De- 

Skirmish  cember  7,  when  Morgan's  Penn- 
at  White  s\l\ania  and  Virginia  riilemen 
Marsh.  were  ordered  forward  on  the 
right.  They  were  supported  by 
Webb's  Continental  regiment  and  Potter's 
brigade  of  Pennsylvania  militia.  Colonel 
James  Thompson  from-  York  County,  with 
a  battalion  of  nearly  300  men  formed  a 
part  of  Potter's  brigade  in  this  engage- 
ment. Colonel  David  Jameson,  with  a 
battalion  of  about  150  men,  was  also 
present.  Morgan  originally  opposed  the 
advance  of  the  enemy  commanded  by 
Lord  Cornwallis.  Four  British  officers 
and  three  men  fell  before  the  unerring 
aim  of  the  riflemen.  \\  elib's  regulars 
and  the  Pennsylvania  militia  under  Cad- 
wallader,  Reed  and  Potter,  took  a  posi- 
tion in  a  woods  forming  the  left  of  the 
American  line.  Here  they  offered  a  stub- 
born resistance  for  a  short  time.  When  the 
British  advanced  in  solid  column,  the  militia 
opened  a  severe  fire  after  which  the  Ameri- 
can line  broke  and  fell  back  in  disorder.  At 
this  time  in  the  fight.  General  Joseph  Reed, 
who  afterward  served  as  president  of  Penn- 
sylvania, was  entreated  by  the  militia  to 
rally  them  for  action.  While  attempting  to 
do  this,  his  horse  was  shot  under  him,  and 
he  narrowly  escaped  capture.  ^leanwhile, 
Washington  with  his  headquarters  at  White 
Marsh,  was  preparing  for  a  general  engage- 
ment. The  se\-erity  of  winter  had  now  ar- 
ri\'ed  and  the  British  retraced  their  steps  to 
Philadelphia.  \Vashington  was  surprised 
at  Howe's  prompt  retrogade,  for  the  British 
officers  had  boasted  that  they  were  going  to 
"drive  Mr.  Washington  over  the  Blue 
Mountains." 

On  December  10,  a  grand  foraging  party 
of  3000  men,  lead  by  Cornwallis,  came  up 
the  Schuylkill  and  attacked  Potter's  brigade 
of  2000  Pennsylvania  militia.  Three  regi- 
ments of  this  brigade  behaved  gallantly  in  a 
sharp  contest  with  the  enemy,  but  were 
driven  across  the  river  by  a  superior  force. 
In  this  engagement  the  casualties  were  few. 
After  destroying  several  buildings  and  ob- 
taining booty,  the  British  returned  to  Phil- 
adelphia, December  16. 

On  September  6,  1777.  five  days  before 
the  battle  of  Brandywine,  Colonel  James 
Thompson  reported  in  his  battalion  of  York 


Count}-  militia,  then  stationed  at  W'ilming- 
ton,  Delaware,  under  General  James  Potter, 
I  major,  4  companies,  4  captains,  4  lieuten- 
ants, 4  ensigns.  4  sergeants,  2  drummers,  2 
fifers,  and  121  men  fit  for  duty  out  of  a  total 
of  127. 

On  Novemljer  24,  at  Camp  White  Marsh, 
near  Valley  Forge,  Colonel  Thompson  re- 
ported 1  major,  6  companies,  6  captains,  12 
lieutenants,  6  ensigns,  i  adjutant,  i  quarter- 
master, 24  sergeants,  4  drummers,  3  fifers, 
or  202,  fit  for  duty  out  of  a  total  of  215. 

On  the  same  date.  Colonel  William 
Rankin,  at  White  Marsh,  reported  i  major, 
3  companies,  3  captains.  4  lieutenants,  3 
ensigns,  i  adjutant,  i  quartermaster,  9  ser- 
geants, I  drummer,  i  fifer,  or  78  fit  for  duty 
out  of  a  total  of  81.  Colonel  David  Jame- 
son, at  the  same  camp,  reported  3  com- 
panies, 3  captains,  4  lieutenants,  3  ensigns, 
I  adjutant,  i  quartermaster,  9  sergeants,  or 
70  fit  for  duty  out  of  a  total  of  75. 

On  Decemljer  22,  at  the  camp  near  Valley 
Forge,  Colonel  Andrews  reported  i  major, 
5  captains,  6  lieutenants,  3  ensigns,  i  adju- 
tant, I  quartermaster,  13  sergeants,  or  120 
fit  for  tluty  out  of  a  total  of  165. 

These  militia  battalions  from  York 
County  were  a  part  of  the  force  called  out 
before  the  battle  of  Brandywine,  but  did  not 
take  part  in  that  engagement.  They  were 
present  at  the  battle  of  Germantown  and 
the  minor  engagements  at  White  Marsh  and 
Chestnut  Hill,  in  the  militia  brigades  of 
Armstrong  and  Potter. 

Some  of  the  casualties  in  Colonel 
Hartley's  Regiment  in  the  battles  of 
Brandywine.  Paoli  and  Germantown, 
were :  Lieutenant  James  Dill,  Lieu- 
tenant James  Lemon,  Sergeant  William 
Chambers,  Sergeant  John  Ivousden,  Cor- 
poral Anthony  Wall,  killed;  Private  George 
Blakely,  wounded  and  prisoner  at  Paoli,  in 
Captain  Robert  Hoopes'  company:  Privates 
\Villiam  Cornwall,  George  Duke,  John  El- 
liott, Joseph  Finnemore,  James  Flin,  killed; 
Philip  Graham,  killed  at  Brandywine;  Jacob 
Houts,  wounded  at  Germantown;  Chris- 
topher Morris  and  John  Shannon,  killed; 
William  Price,  died  of  wounds. 

WASHINGTON  AT  VALLEY  FORGE. 

No  further  offensive  or  defensi\-e  move- 
ments were  made  by  either  army  in  1777, 
and  December  17,  Washington  with  an  army 


THE   REVOLUTION 


199 


of  less  than  10,000  men.  depleted  b\-  the  re- 
cent engagements  at  Brandvwine.  Paoli  and 
Germantoun.  broke  camp  at  White  Marsh 
and  took  up  the  march  for  Valley  Forge, 
near  the  site  of  Norristown. 

The  Pennsylvania  Assembly  which  had 
moved  from  Philadelphia  to  Lancaster 
and  held  its  sessions  in  the  Court 
House  in  Centre  Square  of  that  town, 
was  unfriendly  to  Washington.  It  as- 
sumed to  be  a  patriotic  body,  but  failed 
to  adopt  measures  to  provide  its  own  militia 
in  \\  ashington's  army,  with  shoes,  stock- 
ings and  clothing.  As  the  story  goes,  al- 
though perhaps  much  exaggerated,  the 
blood  stained  marks  of  the  Continental 
troops  were  observed  on  the  line  of  move- 
ment from  White  Marsh  to  Valley  Forge. 
This, however. was  an  unnecessary  condition 
of  affairs,  owing  either  to  negligence  or  dis- 
loyalty, for,  says  a  trustworthy  authority, 
quantities  of  shoes,  stockings,  clothing  and 
other  apparel  were  lying  "at  difYerent  places 
on  the  road  between  Lancaster  and  Valley 
Forge.  It  is  claimed  that  neither  horses 
nor  wagons  could  have  been  procured  to 
convey  them  to  camp.  Congress  at  York, 
now  recommended  to  the  state  legislatures 
to  enact  laws  giving  authority  to  seize 
woolen  cloths,  blankets,  linen,  shoes,  stock- 
ings, hats  and  other  necessary  articles  of 
clothing  for  the  army,  wherever  they  might 
be  found,  and  sent  to  the  relief  of  the  sol- 
diers. 

On  Deceml)er  30,  Congress  renewed  the 
authority  of  Washington,  giving  him  ex- 
traordinary powers  and  further  ordered  him 
"to  inform  the  brave  officers  and  soldiers  of 
the  Continental  army  now  in  camp,  that  as 
the  situation  of  the  enemy  has  rendered  it 
necessary  for  the  army  to  take  post  in  a  part 
of  the  country  not  provided  with  houses  and 
in  consequence  thereof  to  reside  in  huts : 
Congress  approving  of  their  soldierly  pa- 
tience, fidelity  and  zeal  in  the  cause  of  their 
country,  have  directed  one  month's  ex- 
traordinary pay  to  be  given  to  each :  and 
are  exerting  themselves  to  remedy  the  in- 
conveniences which  the  army  has  lately  ex- 
perienced from  the  defects  of  the  commis- 
sary and  clothier's  department." 

After    \\'ashington    took    up    his 

Crooked     headcjuarters     at     Valley     Forge 

Billet       some  of  the  Pennsylvania  militia. 

Tavern,     under    General    Armstrong,     re- 


mained in  camp  at  White  Marsh  as 
a  guard  to  watch  the  enemy's  mo\-ements 
during  the  winter.  On  account  of  age,  de- 
bility and  long  service  in  the  French  and 
Indian  war  and  the  Revolution,  Armstrong 
asked  to  be  relieved  and  returned  to  his 
home  in  Carlisle,  late  in  December,  1777. 
The  term  of  enlistment  of  some  of  the  bat- 
talions of  Pennsylvania  militia  had  also  ex- 
pired and  they  returned  home  until  another 
call  demanded  their  services  in  the  field. 

General  Potter,  wdio  had  served  in  the 
Canada  expedition  and  in  the  campaigns  in 
New  Jersey  and  around  Philadelphia,  asked 
to  be  relieved  from  the  service  to  turn  at- 
tention to  his  business  interests  in  Cinnber- 
land  county. 

January  9,  1778,  Colonel  John  Lacey,  of 
Bucks  county,  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of 
brigadier-general  and  given  the  command 
of  a  brigade  of  militia  with  headquarters  at 
the  Crooked  Billet  Tavern  in  Bucks  county. 
The  object  of  Washington  in  sending  Lacey 
there  was  to  prevent  the  Tories  from  New 
Jersey  and  eastern  Pennsyh-ania  from  tak- 
ing their  produce  and  grain  to  Philadelphia 
and  selling  them  in  that  city.  In  this  capac- 
ity. General  Lacey  performed  an  important 
duty.  \\'hen  Howe  discovered  the  moti\-e 
in  sending  the  militia  into  Bucks  county,  on 
May  I,  he  sent  a  body  of  troops  under  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Abercrombie,  commanding 
a  regiment  of  light  infantry,  a  squadron  of 
rangers  and  a  detachment  of  ca\alry  to  sur- 
round Lacey  and  his  men,  and  capture  them. 
An  attempt  was  made  to  attack  and  surprise 
the  militia  force,  in  the  same  manner  that 
General  Wayne  and  his  brigade  had  been 
assaulted  in  September,  1777,  at  Paoli.  The 
approach  of  the  British  was  a  surprise,  and 
they  nearly  surrounded  Lacey  and  his  men 
before  they  were  ready  to  meet  the  enemy. 
It  was  a  night  attack,  and  before  the  Amer- 
icans could  offer  resistance,  they  endured  a 
formidable  assault.  In  order  to  protect  his 
entire  force  from  capture,  Lacey  ordered  a 
retreat,  leaving  his  baggage  behind.  In 
this  affair  the  American  loss  was  twenty-six 
killed,  eight  or  ten  wounded,  and  fifty-eight 
missing.  It  is  stated  on  good  authority  that 
some  of  the  prisoners  were  bayoneted  and 
others  burned  bv  Simcoe's,  Hoventlen's  and 
James'  Rangers,  among  whom  were  loyal- 
ists who  had  joined  the  British  cause.  The 
British  loss  was  small. 


200 


HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUXTY,    PEXXSYLVANIA 


Alxiul  Februar}'  7  of  this  year,  one  bat- 
talion of  York  county  militia,  under  the 
command  of  Major  Thomas  Lilly,  left  York 
to  join  the  force  under  Lacey.  They  were 
delayed  by  the  bad  weather  and  did  not 
reach  Crooked  Billet  until  the  23rd  of  the 
month. 

YORK  TROOPS  AT  MONMOUTH. 

The  British  army  evacuated  Philadelphia 
on  June  18,  and  began  the  march  toward 
New  ^'ork.  Howe,  who  had  commanded 
the  enemy's  forces  at  Brandywine  and  Ger- 
mantown  and  during  the  evacuation  of 
Philadelphia,  was  succeeded  by  Sir  Henry 
Clinton.  On  June  21,  Washington  left  the 
encampment  at  Valley  Forge  and  crossed 
the  Delaware  at  Trenton,  determining  to 
strike  the  enemy  at  the  first  opportunity. 
During  the  winter,  the  American  forces  had 
been  trained  and  disciplined  under  the 
direction  of  Baron  Steuben,  a  soldier  and 
tactician  who  came  to  this  country  from  the 
court  of  Frederick  the  Great.  Although  the 
American  army  had  suffered  hardships  at 
Y^alley  Forge,  the  rank  and  file  were  in  ex- 
cellent trim.  \\'ashington  followed  closely 
in  pursuit  of  the  British  and  directed  Gen- 
eral Charles  Lee  to  move  forward  and 
attack  the  enemy's  rear  at  Freehold,  in 
Monmouth  County.  Lee  at  first  declined 
this  duty,  and  Lafayette,  with  a  division  of 
troops  composed  in  part  of  Wayne's  brigade 
of  the  Pennsylvania  Line,  was  ordered  to 
hang  on  the  enemy's  rear. 

Lee,  meantime,  changed  his  mind  and 
claimed  the  authority  to  lead  the  detach- 
ment, which  he  was  unfortunately  permitted 
to  do.  He  marched  five  miles  in  advance  of 
the  main  army  to  vigorously  attack  the 
enemy.  \\'hen  he  arrived  within  striking 
distance,  Wayne,  with  700  Pennsylvania 
soldiers  of  the  Continental  Line,  was 
despatched  to  attack  the  left  rear.  \\'hen 
he  approached  the  enemy,  Simcoe's  rangers 
of  mounted  men  dashed  u])on  Colonel 
Richard  Butler's  Pennsylvania  regiment, 
but  were  driven  back. 

At  this  juncture,  a  combined 
Battle  of  attack  was  made  by  the 
Monmouth.  British  and  the  battle  of  Mon- 
mouth was  opened.  The 
enemy  now  became  the  assailants.  Wayne 
looked  around  in  vain  for  a  supporting 
column  of  Americans.     It  was  at  this  time 


in  the  battle  that  General  Lee  had  ordered 
his  part  of  the  line  to  fall  back.  Dismay 
and  consternation  followed,  and  to  prevent 
defeat,  Washington  himself  rode  into  the 
thickest  of  the  fight.  After  reprimanding 
Lee,  he  ordered  Wayne  to  form  his  regi- 
ments in  line  of  battle,  and  check  the  assault 
of  the  enemy. 

Meantime,  Washington  went  to  the  rear 
and  brought  up  the  main  army.  One  of 
Wayne's  regiments,  ordered  to  the  front, 
was  the  Seventh  Pennsylvania  Line,  for- 
merly commanded  by  Colonel  Da\'id  Grier, 
of  York,  who  had  been  wounded  at  Paoli. 
It  was  now  led  b\-  its  original  commander. 
Colonel  William  Irvine,  of  Carlisle,  who 
had  been  captured  in  the  Canada  expedition 
and  lately  released.  The  other  regiments 
were  the  Thirteenth  Pennsylvania,  com- 
manded by  Colonel  Walter  Stewart,  and  the 
Third,  Colonel  Thomas  Craig.  They  were 
aided  by  a  Maryland  and  a  Virginia  regi- 
ment. These  gallant  troops  held  the  posi- 
tion until  the  reinforcements,  wdiich  made 
up  the  second  line  of  battle,  arrived. 
\'\'a}-ne  was  stationed  in  an  orchard  with  a 
hill  on  either  side.  General  Greene  took 
position  on  the  right  and  Lord  Stirling  on- 
the  left.  General  Knox,  commanding  the 
artillery  force,  planted  his  guns  on  thchills 
to  the  left,  near  Stirling's  troops,  and  opened 
on  the  enemy.  The  withering  fire  of 
\A^ayne's  command  in  the  centre  made  a 
further  advance  of  the  enemy  impossible. 
The  British  grenadiers,  endeavoring  to 
pierce  \\'ayne's  line,  were  repulsed.  At 
length,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Alonckton,  at 
the  head  of  the  divisions  in  which  were  sons 
of  many  of  the  noblest  English  families  who 
had  given  tone  to  fashionalile  dissipation 
while  Philadelphia  was  in  the  hands  of  the 
enemy,  and  Continental  Congress  at  York, 
harangued  his  men  and  led  them  on  the 
charge.  He  was  repulsed  by  Wayne  and  in 
the  attack,  fell  mortally  wounded. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  commanding  the 
British  forces,  now  attacked  the  left  under 
Stirling,  but  was  driven  back  by  the  artil- 
lery. He  then  attempted  to  break  through 
the  right,  but  was  overpowered  by  Greene, 
who  was  supported  by  a  strong  battery. 
\\'ayne  advanced  from  the  centre  and  com- 
pelled the  British  to  retreat  to  their  first 
position. 

Evening     had     now     arrived,     and     the 


THE   REVOLUTION 


201 


Americans  bivouacked  for  the  night  near 
the  enemy,  who  stole  away  before  morning 
had  dawned,  and  left  Washington  in  com- 
mand of  the  field.  Thus  ended  one  of  the 
most  brilliant  \-ictories  of  the  Revolution. 
It  added  laurels  to  the  American  arms  and 
increased  the  power  and  influence  of  the 
commander-in-chief. 

The  First  Pennsylvania  Regiment  at 
Monmouth  was  in  command  of  Colonel 
James  Chambers,  who  had  led  it  at 
Brandywine  and  Germantown.  Henry  Mil- 
ler, who  had  left  York  in  1775  ^vith  the  first 
troops  for  Boston,  was  major  of  this 
regiment.  The  company  of  York  County 
troops  which,  had  fought  at  Boston,  Long 
Island,  Trenton.  Princeton,  Brandywine, 
Paoli  and  Germantown,  were  still  serving 
in  the  First  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  but  no 
muster  roll  of  it  for  1778  has  been  found. 
In  this  battle  Captain  John  McDowell  com- 
manded Moses  McClean's  company,  and 
Captain  William  Alexander,  Grier's  com- 
pany, serving  in  the  Seventh  Pennsylvania 
Line.  These  were  the  two  companies  that 
had  marched  with  Irvine's  regiment  on  the 
first  expedition  to  Canada,  in  the  winter  of 

^775- 

Jacob  Stake,  of  \  ork,  who  was  first  lieu- 
tenant of  Captain  Albright's  compan\'  in 
Miles'  regiment,  commanded  a  coinpany  in 
the  Tenth  Pennsylvania  Regiment  at  ]\Ion- 
mouth.  James  Lang,  of  York  County,  who 
had  served  as  a  lieutenant  in  Atlee's 
Musketry  Battalion,  also  commanded  a 
company  in  the  Tenth  Regiment.  Joshua 
Williams,  of  York  County,  commanded  a 
companv  in  the  Fourth  Pennsvlvania  Regi- 
ment under  Colonel  William  Butler.  Wal- 
ter Cruise,  of  York,  who  was  a  corporal  in 
Miller's  company  and  had  been  captured  at 
Boston  in  1775,  commanded  a  company  in 
the  Sixth  Regiment. 

The  following  is  the  muster  roll  of  Cap- 
tain John  r^IcDowell's  companv  in  1778: 

Caf'taiii. 

John  McDowell. 

First  Lieutenant, 

William  Miller. 

Second  Lieutenant, 

Robert  McPherson. 

Ensign, 

James  Milligan. 

Sergeants. 
Thomas  Gainer, 
Roger  Cough, 
."Xdam  Linn. 


Edward  .\tchison, 
George   Blackley, 
William  Bradshavv 
Henry  Cain, 
William  Campbell, 
Thomas   Chesney, 
John  Connelly, 
Daniel  Conner, 
John  Donnel, 
Philip  Dufficld, 
John  Diigan. 
John   Farming. 
Henry  Garman. 
Samuel  Gilmore, 
John  Hart, 
Robert  Hunter, 
James  Johnston, 
Matthew  Kelly, 
Andrew  Kennedy, 
Patrick  King. 
Michael  Lennogan 


Corporal, 
William  Manley. 

Drummer, 
Patrick  Conner. 

Privates, 

John  McCalloh, 
Francis   McDonncl, 
Alexander  McDonnel, 
Xeal  McGunnagle, 
Patrick  McKeehan, 
John   Milton, 
John  Morrison, 
Bartholomew  Mulloy, 
Dennis   .Murphy, 
James  Quinn, 
Thomas  Riley, 
Michael  Shawley, 
Solomon  Silas. 
Diggonv   Sparks, 
Richard  Slack, 
George  Sullivan, 
Marly  Sullivan, 
John  Walch. 
Edward  Welch, 
James  Welch, 
John  Welch, 
Hendrick  Winkler. 


The  following  is  the  muster-roll  of  Cap- 
tain William  Alexander's  Company  in  1778: 

Captain, 
William  Alexander. 

First  Lieutenant, 
Samuel  Kennedy. 

Second  Lieutenant, 
.Alexander  Russell. 

Ensign, 
Robert  McWheeling. 

Sergeants, 
William  Gray. 
John  Smith. 
Joseph  Wade. 
Matthew  Way. 

Corporals, 
George   Brown. 
James  Hamilton. 
Joseph   Rawlands, 
Joseph  Templcton. 

Privates, 


William  Anguish 
James  Berry 
John  Brannon 
John  Bryans 
Patrick  Butler 
John  Clemonds 
Adam  Conn 
Cornelius  Corrigan 
William  Courtney 
David  Davis 
James  Donovan 
John  Farrell 
Henry  Freet 
William  Guthrie 
James  Harkens 
Richard  Henlev 


James  Hutton 
Jacob  Leed 
John  McCall 
Thomas  McConn 
Patrick  McCormick 
John   McDonnel 
John  McGinnis 
Patrick  McGonaghy 
Isaac  Moore 
Timothy  .Murphy 
Patrick  Xowland 
James  Price 
Patrick  Rooney 
John  Sommerville 
John  Stewart 
\\'illiam  Wilkinson 
George  Worley. 


The  following  is  the  muster-roll  of  Cap- 
tain James  Lang's  Company,  which  served 


202 


HISTORY   OF  YORK  COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


in  the  Tenth  Pennsylvania  Regiment  at  the 
battle  of  Monmoutli : 


Daniel  Powers 
Samuel   Green 
John   Sniitli 
John  Lockhard 
Adam  Truby 
Daniel  Hoy 
Simon  Digby 
David  Stinson 
Henry  Falls 
j.-nies  Sharplice 
Andrew  Carvan 
John  McBride 
Thomas  Whelan 
Andrew  McQuigan 
James  Duncan 
Robert  Hanna 


Ca/'tain, 
James  Lang. 

Sergeants, 
Daniel   McLean, 
Thomas  Filson, 
Barny  Shields. 

Corporals, 
John  Smitli, 
James  Tyre. 
Drum  and  Fife, 
Leonard  Toops, 
Andrew  Cutler. 

Privates.  

John  Sulavan 
William  Stage 
John  Burnham 
Hugh  Bradley 
Bartholomew  Berrey 
John  ^IcCarron 
William  Douglass 
John  Jones 
Robert  Holston 
John  Sigafuss 
David  Griffin 
Edward  Butler 
Samuel  Lessley 
Lawrence  Gorman 
Abraham  Hornick 
Thomas  Borland 
Barnev  Burnes. 


The  following  is  the  muster-roll  of  Cap- 
tain Jacob  Stake's  Company  which  served 
in  the  Tenth  Pennsylvania  Line  in  1778  at 
the  battle  of  Monmouth  : 

Caftain, 
Jacob   Stake. 

Sergeants, 
John   Wynne, 
Samuel    Edger, 
John   Ray. 

Corporals. 
Michael   Elly, 
Martin  Sullivan. 

Drummer, 

John  Jeffrys. 

Fifer. 

Martin  Ashburn. 


John  Pierce 
James  McCray 
Richard  Coogan 
George  Montgomery 
William  Short 
Jacob  Stillwell 
Nathaniel  Webber 
Timothy  McNamara 
Charles  Fulks 
John  Gcttiss 
William  Leech 
Lawrence  Sullivan 
Samuel  Dickson 
James  Pratt 
John  Funk 
John  Stammers 


Privates, 


Christopher  Reily 
John  Chappel 
William  Williams 
Edward  Helb 
Rudolph  Crowman 
Stephen  Falkentine 
Daniel  Forker 
Patrick  Coyle 
James  McLaughlin 
William  Grace 
Benjamin  Toy 
Thomas  Moore 
Malcolm  Black 
Patrick  Collins 
Richard  Harding 
George  Webb 
Bastion  Maraquet. 


CAPTAIN  MILLER'S  COMPANY. 

The  following  is  a  return  of  Captain 
Henry  Miller's  Company,  on  November  4, 
1776.  It  was  then  serving  in  the  First 
Pennsylvania  Regiment  and  formed  part  of 
the  rear  column  of  \\'ashington's  army  in 
the  retreat  across  New  Jersey  to  Trenton, 
after  the  defeat  at  Fort  Washington.  This 
company,  under  Captain  Miller,  took  part 
in  the  battles  of  Princeton  and  Trenton,  and 
when  Henry  Miller  was  promoted  to  major 
of  the  regiment,  was  commanded  at  Bran- 
dywine  and  Germantown  by  Captain  James 
]Matson.  It  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Mon- 
mouth, and  in  1781.  still  in  the  First  Regi- 
ment, marched  under  Colonel  Richard  But- 
ler, with  Wayne's  Brigade  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Line,  and  was  present  at  the  surren- 
der of  Cornwallis  at  Yorktown.  Virginia,  in 
October,  1781. 

Captain, 

Henry  Miller. 

First  Lieutenant, 

James  Matson. 

Second  Lieutenant, 

John  Clark. 

Privates, 

John  Line 
Charles  Liness 
John  McAllister 
John  McCray 
George  McCrea 
John  McCurt 
Joseph   McQuiston 
James  Mill 

Joshua  Minshall  , 

Edward  Moore 
James  Morrison 
Patrick  Murphy 
John  Patton 
Patrick   Preston 
Michael   Quin 
John  Quint 
.■\ndrew  Sharp 
John   Shaven 
Joseph  Shibbey 
Matthew  Shields 
James  Smith 
Jacob  Staley 
Andrew  Start 
Alexander  Stevens 
Patrick  Stewlan 
Matthew   Stoyle 
Tobias  Tanner 
John  Taylor 
William  Taylor 
David  Torrence 
Timothy  Winters 

Edward  White. 


William  Allen 
Robert  .Armor 
George  Armstrong 
John  Bell 
John  Beverly 
Christian  Bittinger 
Richard  Block 
George  Brown 
John  Burke 
Thomas  Campbell 
William  Carnahan 
John   Clark 
Robert  Conyers 
William  Cooper 
Thomas  Crone 
George  Dougherty 
John  Douther 
Able  Evans 
Thomas  Fanning 
John  Ferguson 
William  Goudy 
Patrick  Graft 
John  Griffith 
Thomas  Griffith 
Joseph  Halbut 
Robert  Harvey 
John  Humphries 
Richard  Kennedy 
Thomas  Kennedy 
John  Leiper 
Abraham  Lewis 


MAJOR  JOHN  CLARK,  who  rendered 
valuable  services  at  the  battle  of  Monmouth, 
was  born  in  Lancaster  County,  in  1751.  of 
English  ancestry.     He  obtained  his  educa- 


THE   REVOLUTION 


203 


tion  in  the  schools  of  his  native  county  and 
wlien  about  twenty  years  of  age  removed  to 
York.  At  the  opening  of  the  Revolution,  he 
was  a  student  of  law,  but  his  professional 
studies  were  interrupted  by  enlisting  in  the 
army.  Juh^  i.  1775.  he  was  chosen  third 
lieutenant  of  the  first  military  company 
which  marched  from  York  and  arrived  at 
Cambridge,  Massachusetts,  where  it  joined 
Washington's  army.  Lieutenant  Clark 
took  part  with  his  company  in  the  skirmish 
with  the  British  at  Charlestown.  a  few  days 
after  their  arrival  at  Boston.  For  gallantry 
in  this  affair,  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank 
of  second  lieutenant  of  his  company,  then 
commanded  by  Captain  Henry  Miller.  He 
served  as  second  lieutenant  of  Miller's  com- 
pany in  the  hard  fought  battle  of  Long  Is- 
land, in  August,  1776.  This  company  then 
formed  a  part  of  the  First  Regiment  of  the 
Penns\lvania  Line. 

Lieutenant  Clark  was  also  conspicuous 
for  his  gallantry  at  Flatbush,  Long  Island. 
In  September,  1776,  he  was  chosen  major 
of  the  Second  Regiment  of  the  Flying 
Camp,  upon  the  recommendation  of  General 
Hugh  Mercer.  This  regiment,  composed 
entirely  of  York  County  troops,  was  com- 
manded b}'  Colonel  Richard  McAllister, 
founder  of  Hanover.  October  15,  1776, 
r^Iajor  Clark  participated  with  his  regiment 
in  an  expedition  against  the  British  on 
Staten  Island,  and  in  this  action  commanded 
the  advance  with  500  riflemen.  He  suc- 
ceeded in  capturing  60  W'aldeckers  or  Hes- 
sians. 

Soon  after  this  brilliant  afifair,  Major 
Clark  moved  with  his  regiment  up  the  w-est 
side  of  the  Hudson  River  and  took  position 
opposite  White  Plains.  Here  he  com- 
manded a  detachment  of  200  men.  With 
these  men  he  built  fortifications  to  aid  in 
preventing  Howe's  army  from  crossing  to 
the  west  bank  of  the  Hudson. 

After  the  battle  of  Fort  Washington, 
when  the  American  army  retired  from  the 
vicinity  of  Xew  York,  Major  Clark  com- 
manded the  rear  of  the  retreating  forces, 
southward  over  the  state  of  Xew  Jersey. 
He  was  present  at  the  battle  of  Trenton 
and  after  Washington's  victory  at  that 
place,  which  ended  in  the  capture  of  Rahl 
and  1.000  Hessian  troops.  Major  Clark  re- 
ported that  he  collected  the  trophies  of 
victory  and  held  possession    of    the    town. 


while  the  other  troops  went  in  pursuit  of 
the  enemy. 

The  following  day,  December  27,  with 
200  men,  he  marched  in  pursuit  of  a  body  of 
British,  commanded  by  General  Stirling  and 
Count  Donop,  to  Hidetown  and  Cranberry, 
leaving  the  British  in  his  rear  at  Princeton. 
This  was  a  bold  and  brilliant  dash  in  the 
cold  weather  of  midwinter.  .\t  the  villages 
of  Allentown  and  Cranberry  nearby,  he  cap- 
tured a  large  amount  of  British  stores  and 
provisions,  and  at  Hidetown  surprised  and 
took  prisoners  thirty  British  officers.  This 
remarkable  raid  and  its  achievement  won 
for  him  and  his  soldiers  from  York  County 
the  plaudits  of  his  superior  officers,  when 
they  returned  to  headquarters  near  Trenton. 
Major  Clark  and  his  men  were  commended 
for  their  bravery  by  Washington,  Greene 
and  Reed.  W'ashington  presented  Clark 
with  a  British  sword  that  had  been  cap- 
tured in  battle.  Shortly  after  the  battle  of 
Trenton  the  term  of  enlistment  of  McAl- 
lister's regiment  of  the  Flying  Camp  ex- 
pired. The  men  were  honorably  dis- 
charged and  returned  home.  Major  Clark 
remained  in  the  service,  and  was  assigned 
to  duty  under  General  Thomas  Mifflin,  who 
was  reorganizing  the  Pennsylvania  militia 
then  in  New  Jersey  and  eastern  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  was  the  only  officer  present  at 
Crosswicks,  near  Trenton,  in  January,  1777. 
when  General  Mififlin  made  a  strong  appeal 
to  the  New  England  militia  to  remain  one 
month  longer  in  service.  On  the  following 
day  General  Greene  dispatched  Major  Clark 
on  the  important  duty  of  discovering  the 
force  and  movement  of  the  enemy  under 
Lord  Cornwallis,  then  advancing  toward 
Princeton,  New  Jersey.  He  soon  returned 
to  Greene  with  the  desired  information  and 
then  aided  in  forming  an  advance  battle 
line  to  meet  the  approaching  British  under 
Cornwallis,  at  the  opening  of  the  battle  of 
Princeton.  During  the  day  of  the  engage- 
ment, Clark,  as  brigade  major  under  Mifflin, 
did  valiant  service  in  directing  the  artillery 
into  action. 

When  the  American  army  arrived  at 
Morristown,  New  Jersey,  at  the  request  of 
Washington  he  was  made  chief  of  staff  to 
GeneraF  Greene,  with  the  rank  of  major  in 
the  Continental  Line.  His  training  as  a 
despatch  bearer,  and  his  success  in  leading 
reconnoitering  parlies,   made  him   a  useful 


204 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY.    PEXXSYLVAXIA 


officer  to  General  Greene,  who.  next  to 
Washington,  was  ranked  as  the  ablest 
soldier  of  the  Revolution.  While  making  a 
reconnoissance  with  a  small  body  of  troops 
to  ascertain  the  position  of  the  advancing 
British  under  General  Howe,  at  Brandy- 
wine.  Major  Clark  received  a  wound  from 
a  rifle  ball  passing  through  his  right 
shoulder.  He  then  returned  to  his  home  in 
York,  and  after  recuperating,  joined  his 
command  before  the  battle  of  Germantown. 
In  this  engagement,  while  leading  a  small 
detachment,  he  took  prisoner  Captain 
Speak,  of  the  37th  Light  Infantry.  Immedi- 
ately after  the  battle,  with  a  small  scouting 
party,  he  moved  within  sight  of  the  British 
line  in  order  to  ascertain  the  enemy's  loss 
and  if  possible,  discover  the  future  plan  of 
operations.  He  accomplished  his  purpose 
with  great  personal  clanger,  and  communi- 
cated to  the  commander-in-chief,  not  only 
the  losses  of  the  British  at  Germantown.  but 
Howe's  plan  of  movement  against  the 
American  forces,  after  the  battle.  These 
facts  enabled  Washington  to  make  such  a 
disposition  of  his  troops  as  to  gain  ad- 
vantage over  Howe  at  White  Marsh,  a  few 
days  later.  He  also  recommended  the  de- 
tachment of  Smallwood's  brigade  of  Mary- 
land troops  to  Wilmington.  Delaware, 
which  was  re-captured  by  the  Americans. 
This  movement  resulted  in  seizing  two  of 
the  enemy's  ships  on  the  Delaware  heavily 
ladened  with  provisions  and  munitions  of 
war.  For  his  brilliant  achievements  at  this 
period.  Major  Clark  received  the  highest 
commendation  from  his  superior  oflicers. 
The  wound  which  he  had  received  at 
Brandywine  now  compelled  his  retirement, 
and  he  again  returned  to  his  home  at  York. 
In  January.  1778.  together  with  Captain 
Lee.  of  Virginia,  known  as  "Light  Horse 
Harry"  of  the  Revolution,  Clark  was  called 
tq  the  encampment  at  Valley  Forge  to  con- 
sult with  Washington  about  a  proposed  at- 
tack on  a  detachment  of  Howe's  forces  then 
at  Darby,  or  the  main  body  of  the  army  in 
and  around  Philadelphia.  Both  Lee  and 
Clark  advised  Washington  against  any  win- 
ter attack  of  the  British  forces.  At  a  coun- 
cil of  war  a  majority  of  the  subordinate 
commanders  present  were  of  the  same  opin- 
ion. In  appreciation  of  his  ability  as  a  sol- 
dier. Washington  now  offered  to  Clark 
different     positions     of    responsibility     and 


trust,  but  owing  to  the  condition  of  his 
health,  he  declined  these  proft'ered  honors 
and  again  returned  to  York,  to  recuperate 
his  health.  In  recognition  of  what  Clark 
had  done  while  in  the  army,  Washington 
wrote  the  following  interesting  letter  to 
Henry  Laurens,  then  president  of  Congress, 
at  York : 

"Headquarters.  Valley  Forge,  Jan.  2.  1778. 
"Sir : — I  take  the  liberty  of  introducing  Major  John 
Clark,  the  bearer  of  this,  to  your  notice.  He  entered 
the  service  at  the  commencement  of  the  war  and  has 
for  some  time  past  acted  as  aide-de-camp  to  Major- 
General  Greene.  He  is  active,  sensible  and  enterprising 
and  has  rendered  me  very  great  assistance  since  the 
army  has  been  in  Pennsylvania,  by  procuring  one  con- 
stant and  certain  intelligence  of  the  motions  and  inten- 
tions of  the  enemy.  It  is  somewhat  uncertain  whether 
the  state  of  tlje  major's  health  will  admit  of  his  remain- 
ing in  the  military  line;  if  it  should.  I  may  perhaps  have 
occasion  to  recommend  him  in  a  more  particular  manner 
to  the  favor  of  Congress  at  a  future  time.  At  present.  1 
can  assiH'e  you  that  if  you  should,  while  he  remains  in 
the  neighborhood  of  York,  have  any  occasion  for  his 
services,  you  will  find  him  not  only  willing,  but  very 
capable  of  executing  any  of  your  commands.  I  have 
the  honor  to  be.  etc.. 

GEORGE  W.ASHIXGTOX." 

After  receiving  the  letter  to  Henr\' 
Laurens.  President  of  Continental  Con- 
gress then  in  session  at  York.  Major  Clark 
was  appointed  auditor  of  the  accounts 
of  the  army  under  General  Washington. 
He  accepted  this  position  February  24. 
1778.  He  served  for  a  period  of  two  years 
and  then  returned  to  his  home.  \Vhen  he 
assumed  the  duties  of  this  office  the  Treas- 
ury of  the  United  States  had  but  small 
deposits  and  Major  Clark  advanced  the  sum 
of  eleven  hundred  and  fifty-two  pounds  of 
his  own  money  for  one  of  the  best  teams  in 
America  to  secure  and  haul  the  outfit  of  the 
auditors,  their  baggage  and  documents  be- 
longing to  the  officers,  to  the  headquarters 
of  the  army.  During  the  battle  of  Mon- 
mouth. Major  John  Clark,  of  York,  was 
again  called  to  his  former  position  as  an 
aide  on  the  staff  of  General  Greene.  Here 
he  again  succeeded  in  endearing  himself  to 
his  own  commander  and  also  the  head  of  the 
army.  It  was  Clark  who  had  carried  the 
orders  for  General  Lee  to  make  the  first 
attack,  and  his  testimony  was  used  when 
Lee  was  afterward  court-martialed  and  de- 
prived of  his  command. 

The  liattle  of  Monmouth  was  the  last  en- 
gagement in  which  Major  Clark  partici- 
pated during  the  Revolution.  Having 
nearly  completed  his  legal  studies  before  he 


GEN.  HENRY    MILLER 


THE  REVOLUTION 


205 


entereil  the  army  lie  was  admitted  to  the 
bar  at  York,  April  27,  1779,  and  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  life  as  a  practicing  lawyer. 

During  the  second  war  with  Great  Britain 
in  1812,  he  ofifered  his  services  for  the  de- 
fence of  his  country.  When  the  British, 
under  General  Ross,  approached  Baltimore, 
in  1814,  Major  Clark  proceeded  to  that  city. 
He  presented  himself  before  the  military 
authorities  of  Baltimore  with  a  letter  from 
James  Monroe,  Secretary-of-War  in  Madi- 
son's Cabinet,  wdio  recommended  Major 
Clark  for  his  ability  as  a  soldier  in  the  Revo- 
lution. He  then  offered  General  Smith, 
commanding  the  forces  at  Baltimore,  to 
lead  the  advance  and  attack  the  British 
when  they  landed  at  North  Point,  but  the 
duty  had  already  been  assigned  to  others. 

After  the  defeat  of  the  British  at  North 
Point,  General  Smith  tendered  his  thanks  to 
Major  Clark  for  "the  zeal  and  active  ser- 
vices he  voluntarily  rendered  during  his 
stay  at  Baltimore  and  in  its  defence." 

He  continued  the  practice  of  law  at  York 
during  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  re- 
sided in  a  large  home  at  the  southwest  cor- 
ner of  Market  and  Beaver  Streets,  which  in 
1906  was  used  by  Adams  Express  Com- 
pany. In  personal  appearance,  he  was 
large  of  frame,  of  commanding  presence 
and  military  bearing.  In  1818  he  was  a 
candidate  of  the  Federalist  party  to  repre- 
sent Lancaster  and  York  Counties  in  the 
Congress  of  the  United  States,  but  was  de- 
feated. After  the  Revolution,  Major  Clark 
was  in  close  and  intimate  relations  with 
General  Washington  until  the  time  of  the 
latter's  death  in  1799. 

Major  Clark  was  married  early  in  life  to 
a  daughter  of  Captain  Nicholas  Bittinger. 
of  Hanover,  who  commanded  a  company  in 
the  same  regiment  of  the  Flying  Camp  in 
■which  Clark  served  as  a  major.  He  had  one 
son,  George  Clark,  and  several  daughters, 
none  of  whom  left  descendants.  The  only 
portrait  of  the  major  in  existence,  except  a 
drawing,  was  interred  with  the  remains  of 
Julia  Clark,  his  daughter,  at  her  recjuest,  in 
St.  John's  Episcopal  Churchyard.  Major 
Clark  died  December  27,  1819,  at  the  age  of 
68,  and  his  remains  were  buried  in  St. 
John's  Episcopal  Churchyard.  He  was 
prominent  in  the  Masonic  Fraternity  and 
was  a  vestryman  of  St.  John's  Church. 


GENERAL  HENRY  MILLER,  of  York, 
who  entered  the  army  as  a  lieutenant,  in 
1775,  ser\ed  continuously  until  the  year 
1779.  He  was  conspicuous  for  his  gallantry 
in  the  siege  of  Boston,  at  the  battles  of 
Long  Island,  White  Plains,  Trenton, 
Princeton,  Brandywine,  Germantown  and 
Monmouth.  In  all  he  participated  in  forty- 
seven  battles  and  skirmishes  with  the 
British  during  the  four  years  of  his  military- 
service  in  the  army. 

He  was  born  February  13,  1751,  at  the 
site  of  Millersville,  Lancaster  County. 
Pennsylvania,  where  his  father  was  a  farmer 
owning  a  large  estate.  After  receiving  a 
good  preparatory  education,  he  went  to 
Reading,  where  he  entered  the  law  office  of 
Collinson  Reed,  and  studied  conveyancing. 
In  1769.  he  removed  to  York,  where  he 
began  the  occupation  of  a  conveyancer  and 
continued  his  legal  studies  with  Samuel 
Johnson,  one  of  the  pioneer  lawyers  of  York 
County.  When  the  Revolution  opened  he 
espoused  the  cause  of  the  colonists  and  be- 
came second  lieutenant  of  the  York  Ritle- 
men,  a  company  of  100  trained  marksmen 
from  York  County,  who,  on  July  i,  1775, 
began  the  march  to  Boston,  and  joined 
W'ashington's  army  at  Cambridge,  Massa- 
chusetts, on  July  25.  Here  they  were  as- 
signed to  Thompson's  Battalion,  the  first 
troops  south  of  New  York  to  join  the 
American  army  during  the  Revolution. 
Their  reputation  for  trained  marksmanship 
with  the  use  of  the  rifle  was  already  well 
known.  The  troops  wdio  engaged  in  the 
battle  of  Bunker  Hill  had  used  muskets. 

Two  days  after  the  York  Riflemen,  under 
Captain  Doudel,  arrived  at  Washington's 
headcjuarters,  at  the  request  of  Lieutenant 
Miller,  they  were  sent  out  to  reconnoiter 
the  position  of  the  enemy  at  Bunker  Hill. 
This  was  done  with  Washington's  consent 
and  resulted  in  the  capture  of  several 
prisoners,  from  whom  the  position  and 
number  of  the  enemy  were  obtained.  Soon 
after  this  event.  Lieutenant  Miller  was 
made  captain  of  his  company,  and  com- 
manded it  on  the  march  toward  New  York. 
He  and  his  riflemen  were  conspicuous  for 
their  \alor  at  the  battle  of  Long  Island  and 
guarded  the  retreat  of  Washington's  army, 
which,  through  a  fog,  crossed  to  New  York 
City.     Captain  Miller,    amid    a    shower    of 


206 


HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUNTY.    PENXSYLVAXIA 


bullets  frDUi  the  enemy,  was  the  last  Ameri- 
can soldier  to  enter  the  boats. 

He  participated  in  the  battle  of  White 
Plains,  and  with  a  detachment  from  the 
First  Regiment  of  the  Pennsylvania  Line, 
guarded  the  rear  during  Washington's  re- 
treat across  New  Jersey.  At  the  battle  of 
Trenton  the  First  Regiment,  under  Colonel 
Edward  Hand,  formed  the  advance  battle 
line,  and  during  that  eventful  Christmas 
night  of  1776  was  the  first  to  attack  the 
Hessians  at  their  post.  After  the  surrender 
of  1,000  Hessians  at  Trenton,  Washington 
re-crossed  into  Pennsylvania.  He  then  se- 
lected Hand's  riflemen,  with  Captain  Miller 
commanding  his  company,  to  lead  the  ad- 
vance and  attack  the  approaching  enemy. 
In  the  action  which  ensued  Miller  com- 
manded the  left  wing  of  the  regiment. 

At  the  battle  of  Princeton,  on  the  suc- 
ceeding day,  these  riflemen  were  conspic- 
uous for  their  valor  and  aided  in  winning 
a  brilliant  victory.  For  his  gallantry  in 
action,  at  the  request  of  Washington,  Cap- 
tain Miller  was  promoted  to  major  of  his 
regiment,  and  held  this  position  at  the  bat- 
tle of  Brandywine.  In  the  battle  of  Ger- 
mantown  his  regiment  formed  a  part  of 
\\'ayne's  brigade,  and  aided  in  driving  the 
enemy  toward  Philadelphia,  during  the  first 
part  of  the  engagement.  Six  days  after  the 
battle,  which  resulted  in  a  British  victory. 
Major  Miller  wrote  to  his  family  at  York: 
"We  hope  to  meet  them  soon  again,  and 
with  the  assistance  of  Providence  to  restore 
our  suffering  citizens  of  Philadelphia  to 
their  possessions  and  homes." 

During  the  winter  of  1777-8,  Major  Mil- 
ler remained  in  camp  with  his  regiment  at 
Valley  Forge.  The  arduous  duties  of  army- 
life  required  him  to  spend  part  of  the  winter 
at  his  home,  recuperating  his  health.  It 
was  during  this  winter  that  Continental 
Congress  held  its  sessions  in  York,  and 
W^ashington  lay  in  winter  quarters  at  Val- 
ley Forge. 

On  the  march  through  New  Jersey  in  pur- 
suit of  the  enemy  under  Sir  Henry  Clinton, 
in  June,  1778,  Major  Miller's  regiment 
formed  a  ])art  of  the  Pennsylvania  division 
commanded  by  General  Anthony  AVayne. 
In  this,  the  last  battle  of  the  Revolution  in 
which  Major  Miller  participated,  he  showed 
the  same  coolness  and  bravery  that  he  had 
displayed  on  former  occasions  when  he  led 


his  York  County  Riflemen  on  to  victory. 
While  commanding  a  detachment  under 
Wayne  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight,  his  horse 
was  shot  by  a  cannon  ball.  He  quickly 
mounted  another  and  rode  forward,  when 
this  horse  was  killed  by  a  musket  ball. 
Mounting  a  third,  he  led  his  men  onward 
until  the  British  were  driven  from  the  field. 
For  gallant  and  meritorious  services  at  the 
battle  of  ISIonmouth,  Major  Miller  was  pro- 
moted to  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  Second 
Pennsylvania  Regiment  in  tlie  Continental 
Line,  but  owing  to  the  condition  of  his 
atTairs  at  home,  as  the  result  of  four  years' 
service  in  the  army,  he  held  this  position  for 
a  short  time  only  and  then  resigned.  He 
then  turned  his  attention  to  his  business 
affairs  at  York.  The  pay  he  had  received 
as  a  soldier,  in  depreciated  currency,  did  not 
furnish  him  means  enough  to  support  his 
family. 

In  1780,  he  was  elected  sherift'  of  York 
County,  and  served  in  that  position  for 
three  years.  He  represented  York  County 
in  the  State  Legislature  in  1783-4-5.  He 
was  appointed  protbonotary  in  1785,  and  in 
the  same  year  commissioned  one  of  the 
court  justices  for  York  County.  He  was 
elected  a  delegate  to  the  convention  which 
framed  the  State  Constitution  of  1790. 
After  the  war,  he  became  a  brigadier- 
general  of  the  state  militia,  and  in  1794  was 
quartermaster-general  of  the  United  States 
army  in  the  \Vhiskey  Insurrection  in  west- 
ern Pennsylvania. 

General  Miller  was  appointed  supervisor 
of  revenue  for  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  by 
President  Washington,  and  served  in  the 
same  office  under  President  Adams;  but  on 
account  of  his  staunch  adherence  to  the 
Federalist  party,  was  removed  from  the 
office  by  Thomas  Jefferson,  when  he  Ije- 
canie  President.  Although  he  had  reached 
the  age  of  63,  wdien  the  second  war  with 
Great  Britain  began,  he  tendered  his  ser- 
vices to  the  United  States  government,  and 
was  placed  in  charge  of  the  defence  of  Fort 
McHenry.  This  occurred  when  the  city  of 
Baltimore  was  first  threatened  by  the 
English,  in  1813.  Having  still  retained  his 
relations  to  his  native  state,  when  the  militia 
was  organized  he  received  the  appointment 
of  brigadier-general.  In  1814.  when  the 
British  appeared  before  Baltimore,  he 
served    in    the    capacity    of    quartermaster- 


THE   REVOLUTION 


207 


general  and  was  present  at  Baltimore  with 
the  Pennsylvania  troops,  which  had 
marched  there  for  the  defence  of  that  city. 
His  experience  as  an  officer  in  the  Revolu- 
tion was  of  great  advantage  to  the  com- 
manding officers  at  Baltimore,  at  the  time 
of  the  battle  of  North  Point  and  the  bom- 
bardment of  Fort  McHenry.  Before  retir- 
ing from  service.  General  Miller  received  the 
commendations  of  the  military  authorities 
of  Baltimore  and  the  national  government. 

He  retired  to  private  life,  residing  on  a 
farm  in  the  Juniata  Valley,  and  in  1821  was 
appointed  prothonotary  of  the  new  county 
of  Perry.  At  the  expiration  of  his  term  of 
ofifice,  he  removed  his  family  residence  to 
Carlisle,  where  he  died  April  5.  1824,  and 
was  buried  there  with  military  honors. 

His  family  consisted  of  two  sons  and  four 
daughters.  His  son  Joseph  was  a  lieutenant 
in  the  army,  and  died  in  the  service,  wdiile 
performing  his  duties  as  quartermaster  at 
Ogdensburg,  during  the  second  war  with 
England,  and  his  son  William  was  a  lieuten- 
ant in  the  navy,  and  died  on  board  the 
frigate  "LTnsurgent,"  Captain  Murray. 

His  eldest  daughter,  Capandana,  married 
Colonel  Campbell;  his  second  daughter. 
Mary,  married  Thomas  Banning,  a  Mary- 
land planter;  and  his  third  daughter,  Julia 
Anna,  married  David  Watts,  of  Carlisle. 
His  fourth  daughter,  Harriet,  died  unmar- 
ried. There  are  no  descendants  of  these 
children  now  surviving,  except  those  of 
David  Watts  and  Julia  Anna  ^Miller. 

COLONEL  THOMAS  HARTLEY'S 
REGIMENT. 

Thomas  Hartley,  a  member  of  the  York 
County  Bar,  and  a  young  man  of  rare  at- 
tainments, entered  the  military  service  in 
the  fall  of  1775.  Before  hostilities  had 
opened  between  the  colonies  and  the 
mother  country,  he  had  commanded  a  com- 
pany of  militia  from  York  and  vicinity.  The 
fierce  conflict  at  Bunker  Hill  in  June,  1775, 
stimulated  his  military  ardor.  When  an  ex- 
pedition was  planned  against  Canada  in  the 
fall  of  1775,  he  tendered  his  services  to  the 
cause  of  American  liberty.  A  regiment 
composed  of  eight  companies  was  organ- 
ized, at  Carlisle,  from  militia  in  the  region 
now  embraced  in  York.  Cuml)erland. 
Franklin.  Adams  and  Perry  Counties.  Wil- 
liam  Irxine,  of  Carlisle,  was  commissioned 


colonel  of  this  regiment  and  Thomas  Hart- 
ley, lieutenant-colonel,  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
seven.  The  part  taken  by  the  regiment  in 
the  Canada  campaign  is  told  in  a  previous 
chapter  in  this  work.  After  the  capture  of 
Colonel  Irvine,  in  Canada,  Hartley  was 
placed  in  command  of  the  regiment  and 
brought  it  back  to  Carlisle  in  ^Iarch,  1777. 
Irvine  remained  a  j^risoner  of  war  until 
April,  1778.  His  command,  which  at  first 
enlisted  for  a  term  of  one  j'ear  for  the 
Canada  campaign,  re-enlisted,  and  in  June, 
1778,  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant- 
colonel  David  Grier,  of  York,  was  stationed 
at  Middlebrook,  New  Jersey,  and  in  Sep- 
tember at  Trappe,  in  Montgomery  County, 
Pennsylvania.  It  joined  Wayne's  brigade 
and  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Brandywine, 
Paoli  and  Germantown.  as  told  elsewhere  in 
this  history. 

Thomas  Hartley,  while  in  charge  of  the 
regiment  at  Ticonderoga,  was  commis- 
sioned colonel,  January  11,  1777.  After  the 
regiment  reached  Carlisle  in  March  of  that 
year.  Hartley  spent  some  time  at  York. 

In  December,  1776,  Congress  authorized 
Washington  to  raise  sixteen  battalions  of 
infantry  for  the  military  service  from  the 
different  states  then  forming  the  Union. 
This  resolution  was  adopted  two  days  after 
the  battle  of  Trenton,  which  had  been  a  sig- 
nal victory  for  the  American  cause.  Two 
of  these  battalions  were  to  come  from 
Pennsylvania.  For  this  purpose  Thomas 
Hartley  and  John  Patton,  of  Chester 
County,  were  each  commissioned  colonel  to 
raise  a  regiment.  In  the  absence  of  official 
reports,  it  is  difficult  to  give  a  detailed  ac- 
count of  these  regiments. 

Colonel  Thomas  Hartleys  regiment 
joined  Washington's  ami}',  wdien  General 
Howe  landed  at  the  head  of  Elk  River,  in 
September,  1777.  All  the  available  Ameri- 
can troops  were  then  concentrated  in  the 
\icinity  of  Philadelphia.  Hartley's  regi- 
ment formed  part  of  the  First  Pennsylvania 
Brigade  in  General  \\'ayne's  division.  In 
the  battle  of  Brandywine,  Colonel  Hartley 
commanded  this  Ijrigade,  which  did  valiant 
service  in  the  engagement,  and  lost  heavily 
in  both  officers  and  men.  This  brigade  also 
took  part  in  the  battle  of  Paoli,  fought  near 
Philadelphia,  nine  days  after  the  defeat  at 
Brandxwine,  and  still  under  the  command 
of  Hartley,  ]Ku-tici])ated  in  the  battle  of  Ger- 


208 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY.    PEXXSYLVAXIA 


mantown,  October  4.  After  Germaiitown, 
Hartle\'"s  regiment,  which  originally  num- 
bered 600  men  from  the  different  counties 
of  Pennsylvania,  had  in  rank  and  file  less 
than  half  its  original  enlistment.  Major 
Lewis  Bush  was  mortally  wounded  at 
Brandywine,  and  Captain  Robert  Hoopes 
was  killed.  Other  casualties  in  this  regi- 
ment, in  the  battles  of  Brandywine,  Paoli 
and  Germantown,  were:  Lieutenant  James 
Dill.  Lieutenant  James  Lemon.  Sergeant 
\\'illiam  Chambers.  Sergeant  John  Rousden. 
Corporal  Anthony  \\"all,  killed:  Private 
George  Blakely.  wounded  and  prisoner  at 
Paoli.  in  Captain  Robert  Hoopes'  company: 
Privates  William  Cornwall.  George  Duke. 
John  Elliott.  Joseph  Finnemore.  James  Flin. 
killed;  Philip  Graham,  killed  at  Brandy- 
wine :  Jacob  Houts.  wounded  at  German- 
town :  Christopher  Morris  and  John  Shan- 
non, killed :  William  Price,  died  of  wounds. 

After  the  close  of  the  campaign 
Hartley's  of  the  American  army  around 
Regiment  Philadelphia,  in  1777,  and  when 
at  York.      AN'ashington    went    into    winter 

quarters  at  Valley  Forge.  Colo- 
nel Hartley  returned  with  iiis  regiment  to 
York,  where  it  remained  in  barracks  for  two 
or  three  months  as  a  guard  to  Continental 
Congress,  then  in  session  here.  February 
II,  1778.  Congress  passed  a  resolution  or- 
dering Michael  Hillegas,  treasurer  of  the 
United  States,  to  issue  a  warrant  for  two 
months'  pay  to  Colonel  Hartley's  regiment, 
then  in  York.  On  the  same  day  another 
resolution  was  adopted  directing  the  board 
of  war  to  aid  in  recruiting  this  regiment. 
On  June  17.  according  to  the  diary  of  Rev. 
John  Roth,  of  the  Moravian  Church,  a  part 
of  Hartley's  regiment  left  York  for  the 
American  camp  near  Philadelphia,  having 
in  charge  a  number  of  English  prisoners. 
On  June  25,  at  the  request  of  General 
Washington.  Colonel  Hartley  reported  with 
his  regiinent  at  Valley  Forge,  just  before 
the  American  army  had  left  the  camp  to 
take  the  field  in  New  Jersey.  A  few  days 
later  Congress  adjourned  to  Philadelphia, 
which  had  been  evacuated  by  the  British, 
then  falling  back  through  New  Jersey  to 
New  York. 

In  June.  1778.  just  before  Con- 
Wyoming  gress  left  York  for  Philadel- 
Massacre.     phia,  the  settlers  near  Wilkes- 

barre,  in  the  Wyoming  Valley, 


in  the  northern  part  of  Pennsylvania,  heard 
o{  the  approach  of  a  large  force  of  Tories 
and  Indians  under  Colonel  John  Butler. 
An  appeal  for  help  was  made  to  Congress 
as  nearly  all  the  able-bodied  men  were  in 
the  Continental  army.  These  hostile  bands 
approached  suddenly,  when  Colonel  Zebu- 
Ion  Butler,  of  the  Pennsylvania  Line,  who 
was  home  on  a  furlough,  recruited  three 
hundred  men  to  meet  a  force  three  times  as 
large.  He  met  the  enemy  on  July  3  at  a  fort 
near  the  Susquehanna,  a  short  distance 
abo\e  Wilkesbarre,  and  here  occurred  what 
is  known  to  history  as  the  Wyoming  Mas- 
sacre. '  Only  fifty  of  Zebulon  Butler's  men 
escaped.  Those  who  did  not  fall  in  battle, 
when  captured  were  put  to  death  by  the 
bullets  of  the  Tories  or  the  tomahawks  of 
the  Indians.  The  depredations  in  the 
W'yoming  Valley  continued  and  became  so 
heartrending  that  all  the  settlers  fled. 

The  Wyoming  Massacre  was  not  the 
only  one  in  Pennsylvania  in  the  war  of  the 
Revolution.  Immediately  after  that  of 
Wyoming,  the  wild  precipitate  flight, 
known  as  the  "Great  Runaway,"  occurred 
in  the  valley  of  the  West  Branch.  All  sum- 
mer the  scalping  knife  and  tomahawk  had 
been  doing  their  deadly  work  there,  and 
wdien  the  news  of  the  massacre  on  North 
Branch  arrived,  the  West  Branch  above 
Sunbury  and  Northumberland  was  aband- 
oned by  the  settlers.  Boats,  canoes,  hog- 
troughs,  rafts,  and  every  sort  of  floating 
things,  were  crowded  with  women  and 
children.  The  men  came  down  in  single 
file,  on  each  side  of  the  river,  and  acted  as 
guards.  Sunbury  became  a  frontier  town 
and  the  site  of  Harrisburg.  Paxtang,  and 
Middletown,  were  places  of  resort  for  the 
unfortunate  refugees.  Bedford  and  West- 
moreland counties  and  the  country  about 
Pittsburg  were  likewise  sorely  afflicted  at 
this  time. 

The     massacre      of      W^yoming, 

Hartley      which      occurred      on     July     3, 

Marches      caused   serious   apprehension   to 

to  General  Washington    and    Con- 

Sunbury.     tinental  Congress.     At  this  time. 

Colonel  Hartley's  regiment  was 
with  Washington's  army  in  New  Jersey, 
and  the  remainder  performing  guard  duty 
at  Philadelphia.  In  accordance  with  a  reso- 
lution of  the  Pennsylvania  Council  of 
Safety,  Hartley's  regiment  was  ordered,  on 


THE   REVOLUTIOX 


209 


Jul}'  14,  to  go  to  Sunbury,  in  Xortliumber- 
laud  County,  fifty  miles  above  Harrisburg. 
At  the  same  time,  the  Committee  of  Safety 
ordered  the  militia  to  be  called  out  from 
the  counties  of  Xorthumberland,  Lancaster, 
Berks,  Northampton,  Cumberland  and 
York,  in  all  about  1,800  men.  These  troops 
were  intended  to  guard  the  frontier  from 
the  ravages  of  the  Indians  and  Tories. 
Four  hundred  and  fifty  troops  from  Berks 
and  Northampton  were  to  repair  to  Easton ; 
eight  hundred  and  fifty  from  Xorthumber- 
land, Lancaster  and  Berks  to  go  to  Sunbury, 
three  hundred  from  Cumberland  and  two 
hundred  from  York  County  to  join  Colonel 
Broadhead  at  Standing  Stone,  the  site  of 
Huntingdon. 

As  the  Indians  continued  to  be  very 
troublesome  on  the  northern  and  western 
frontiers  of  Penns3dvania,  it  soon  became 
apparent  to  the  military  authorities  that 
some  offensive  operations  must  be  under- 
taken, to  punish  the  savage  foe,  or  the  in- 
habitants of  Central  Pennsylvania  would  be 
in  imminent  danger. 

With  this  object  in  view,  Colonel 
Goes       Hartley,  in  September,    1778,  was 

to  sent  from  Sunbury,  by  the  Board 
Tioga,  of  ^^'ar  on  an  expedition  to  Tioga 
Point,  on  the  headwaters  of  the 
X'orth  Branch,  to  destroy  some  of  their  vil- 
lages and  break  up  their  places  of  rendez- 
vous. His  expedition  was  one  of  the  most 
memorable  on  record,  and  proved  success- 
ful. In  October,  1778,  after  his  return  to 
Sunbury,  from  this  expedition,  Colonel 
Hartley  wrote  to  Congress  an  extended  ac- 
count of  it,  which  reads  in  part  as  follows: 

"With  a  frontier  from  Wyoming  to  Alle- 
gheny, we  were  sensible  the  few  regular 
troops  we  had  could  not  defend  the  neces- 
sary posts.  We  thought  (if  it  were  prac- 
ticable), it  would  be  best  to  draw  the  prin- 
cipal part  of  our  force  together,  as  the  in- 
habitants would  be  in  no  great  danger  dur- 
ing our  absence.  I  made  a  stroke  at  some 
of  the  nearest  Indian  towns,  especially  as 
we  learned  a  handsome  detachment  had 
been  sent  into  the  enemy's  country  by  way 
of  the  Cherry  Valley,  New  York.  \\'e  were 
in  hopes  we  should  drive  the  savages  to  a 
greater  distance. 

"\\'ith  volunteers  and  others,  we  reck- 
oned on  400  rank  and  file  for  the  expedition, 
besides    17  horses,  which   I   mounted  from 


my  own  regiment,  under  the  command  of 
Lieutenant  Henry  Carbery.  Our  rendez- 
vous was  Fort  Muncy,  near  the  site  of  Wil- 
liamsport,  on  the  \\'est  Branch,  intending 
to  penetrate  by  the  Sheshecunnunk  path, 
to  Tioga,  at  the  junction  of  the  Cayuga, 
with  the  main  Northeast  Branch  of  Susque- 
hanna, from  thence  to  act  as  circumstances 
might  require. 

"The  troops  met  at  Aluncy  the  i8th  of 
September,  and  when  we  came  to  count  and 
array  our  force  for  the  expedition,  they 
amounted  to  only  about  200  rank  and  file. 
We  thought  the  number  small,  but  as  we 
presumed  the  enemy  had  no  notice  of  our 
designs,  we  hoped  at  least  to  make  a  good 
diversion  if  no  more,  whilst  the  inhabitants 
were  saving  their  grain  on  the  frontier.  On 
the  morning  of  the  21st,  at  four  o'clock,  we 
marched  from  Muncy,  with  the  force  I  have 
mentioned ;  we  carried  two  boxes  of  spare 
ammunition  and  twelve  days'  provisions. 

"In    our    route    we    met    with 

Endures  great  rains  and  prodigious 
Hardships,  swamps ;  mountains,  defiles 
and  rocks  impeded  our  march. 
^^'e  had  to  open  and  clear  the  way  as  we 
passed.  We  waded  or  swam  the  Lycoming 
Creek  upwards  of  twenty  times.  I  will  not 
trouble  your  honorable  body  with  the 
tedious  detail,  but  I  cannot  help  observing 
that,  I  imagine,  the  difficulties  in  crossing 
the  Alps  or  passing  up  Kennebec  River  to 
Canada  in  1775,  could  not  have  been  greater 
than  those  our  men  experienced  for  the 
time.  I  have  the  pleasure  to  say  they  sur- 
mounted them  with  great  resolution  and 
fortitude.  In  lonely  woods  and  groves  we 
found  the  haunts  and  lurking  places  of  the 
savage  murderers,  who  had  desolated  our 
frontier.  A\'e  saw  the  huts  where  they  had 
dressed  and  dried  the  scalps  of  the  helpless 
women  and  children  who  fell  into  their 
hands. 

"On  the  morning  of  the  26th,  our 

Drives      advance  party  of  19,  met  with  an 

the         equal  number  of  Indians   on   the 

Enemy      path,    approaching    one    another. 

Back.  Our  men  had  the  first  fire.  .\. 
very  important  Indian  chief  was 
killed  and  scalped  and  the  rest  fled.  A  few 
miles  further,  we  discovered  where  up- 
wards of  seventy  warriors  had  lay  the  night 
before,  on  their  march  towards  our  frontier. 
The  panic  communicated  and  they  fled  with 


14 


2IO 


HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUNTY.    PEXXSYLVAXIA 


their  bretlireii.  No  time  was  lost;  we  ad- 
vanced towards  Sheshecunnunck,  in  the 
neighborhood  of  which  place  we  took  fif- 
teen prisoners  from  them.  We  learned  that 
a  man  had  deserted  from  Captain  Spald- 
ing's company  at  Wyoming,  after  the  troops 
had  marched  from  thence  and  had  given  the 
enemy  notice  of  onr  intended  expedition 
against  them. 

"We  moved  with  the  greatest  dispatch 
towards  Tioga,  advancing  our  horse  and 
some  foot  in  front,  wdro  did  their  duty  very 
well..  A  number  of  the  enemy  fled  before 
us  with  precipitation.  It  was  near  dark, 
when  we  came  to  that  towni.  Our  troops 
were  much  fatigued  and  it  was  impossible 
to  proceed  further  that  night.  We  were 
told  that  young  Butler,  who  had  led  the 
'J'ories  at  the  Wyoming  Massacre,  had  been 
at  Tioga  a  few  hours  before  we  came — that 
he  had  300  men  with  him,  the  most  of  them 
Tories,  dressed  in  green — that  they  were 
returned  towards  Chemung,  12  miles  off, 
and  that  they  determined  to  give  us  battle 
in  some  of  the  defiles  near  it.  It  was  soon 
resolved  w^e  should  proceed  no  further,  but 
if  possible  make  our  way  to  Wyoming.  AVe 
burned  Tioga,  Queen  Hester's  Palace  or 
town,  and  all  the  settlements  on  this  side. 
Several  canoes  were  taken  and  some  plun- 
der, part  of  which  was  destroyed.  Lieu- 
tenant Carbery,  with  the  .horse  only,  was 
close  on  Butler.  He  was  in  possession  of 
the  town  of  Shawnee,  three  miles  up  the 
Cayuga  Branch,  but  as  we  did  not  advance, 
he  returned. 

"The  consternation  of  the  enemy  was 
great.  \\'e  pushed  our  good  fortune  as  far 
as  we  dare,  nay,  it  is  probable  the  good 
countenance  \ve  put  on,  saved  us  from 
destruction,  as  we  were  advanced  so  far 
into  the  enemy's  country,  and  no  return 
but  what  we  could  make  with  the  sword. 
We  came  to  Sheshecunnimck  that  night. 
Had  we  had  500  regular  troops,  and  150 
light  troops,  with  one  or  two  pieces  of  ar- 
tillery, we  probably  might  have  destroyed 
Chemung,  which  is  now  the  receptacle  for 
all  villainous  Indians  and  Tories  from  the 
different  tribes  and  states.  From  this  they 
make  their  excursions  against  the  frontiers 
of  New  York,  Pennsylvania,  Jersey,  A¥yom- 
ing  and  commit  those  horrid  murders  and 
devastations  we  have  heard  of.  Niagara 
and  Chemung    are    the    asylums    of    these 


Tories  who  cannot  get  to  New  York.  On 
the  morning  of  the  28th,  we  crossed  the 
river  and  marched  towards  Wyalusing, 
wdiere  w'e  arri\ed  that  night  at  11  o'clock; 
our  men  were  much  worn  down  and  our 
whiskey  and  flour  were  gone. 

"On  the  morning  of  the  29th,  we  were 
obliged  to  stay  till  11  o'clock  to  kill  and 
cook  beef.  This  gave  the  enemy  leisure  to 
approach.  Seventy  of  our  vnen  from  real 
or  pretended  lameness  went  into  the 
canoes ;  others  rode  on  the  empty  pack 
horses.  We  had  not  more  than  120  rank 
and  file  to  fall  in  the  line  of  march.  Lieu- 
tenant Sweeney,  a  valuable  officer,  had  the 
rear  guard,  consisting  of  thirty  men,  besides 
five  active  runners,  under  Mr.  Camplen. 
The  advance  guard  was  to  consist  of  an 
officer  and  fifteen  men.  There  were  a  few 
flankers,  but  from  the  difficulty  of  the 
ground  and  fatigue,  they  were  seldom  of 
use.  The  rest  of  our  little  army  was  formed 
into  three  divisions.  Those  of  my  regiment 
composed  the  first.  Captain  Spalding's  the 
second,  and  Captain  Morrow's  the  third. 
The  light  horse  was  equally  divided  be- 
tween front  and  rear.  The  pack  horses  and 
the  cattle  we  had  collected,  were  to  follow 
the  advance  guard.  In  this  order  we 
marched  from  Wyalusing  at  12  o'clock.  A 
slight  attack  was  made  on  our  front  from  a 
hill.  Half  an  hour  afterwards  a  warmer  one 
was  made  on  the  same  quarter.  After  or- 
dering the  second  and  third  divisions  to 
outflank  the  enemy,  we  soon  drove  them, 
but  this,  as  I  expected,  was  only  amuse- 
ment, and  we  lost  as  little  time  as  possible 
with  them. 

"At  2  o'clock  a  very  heavy  attack 

An        was    made    on    our    rear,    which 

Indian     obliged  most  of  the  rear  guard  to 

Attack,     give   way,    while    several    Indians 

appeared  on  our  left  flank.  By 
the  weight  of  the  firing,  we  were  soon  con- 
vinced we  had  to  oppose  a  large  body. 
Captain  Stoddard  commanded  in  front  and 
I  was  in  the  centre.  I  observed  some  high 
ground  which  overlooked  the  enemy. 
Orders  were  immediately  given  for  the  first 
and  third  di\isions  to  take  possession  of  it, 
whilst  Captain  Spalding  was  despatched  to 
support  the  rear  guard.  We  gained  the 
heights  almost  unnoticed  by  the  barbarians. 
Captain  Stoddart  sent  a  small  party  towards 
the  enemy's  rear.     At  this  critical  moment. 


THE   REVOLUTIOX 


!II 


Captains  Boone  and  Braily,  and  Lieutenant 
King,  with  a  few  brave  fellows,  landed  from 
the  canoes,  joined  Lieutenant  Sweeney  and 
renewed  the  action  there.  The  war  whoop 
was  given  by  our  people  below  and  com- 
municated round.  We  advanced  on  the 
enemy  on  all  sides. 

^\'ith  great  shouting  and  noise, 
The  the  Indians,  after  a  brave  resist- 

Enemy  ance  of  some  minutes,  con- 
Repulsed.  cei\ed  themselves  nearly  sur- 
rounded, and  fled  with  the  ut- 
most haste,  by  the  only  passes  that  re- 
mained, and  left  ten  dead  on  the  ground. 
Our  troops  wished  to  do  their  duty,  but 
they  were  much  overcome  with  fatigue, 
otherwise  (as  the  Indians  imagined  them- 
selves surrounded),  we  should  have  driven 
the  enemy  into  the  river.  From  every  ac- 
count, these  were  a  select  body  of  warriors, 
sent  after  us,  consisting  of  nearly  200  men. 
Their  confidence  and  impetuosity,  probably 
gave  the  victory  to  us.  After  they  had 
driven  our  rear  some  distance,  their  chief 
was  heard  to  say  in  the  Indian  language 
that  which  is  interpreted  thus :  'M}^  brave 
warriors,  we  drive  them,  be  bold  and  strong, 
the  day  is  ours.'  Upon  this  they  advanced 
very  quickly  without  sufficiently  regarding 
their  rear. 

"\\'e  had  no  alternatixe,  but  conquest  or 
death.  They  w^ould  have  murdered  us  all 
had  they  succeeded,  but  the  great  God  of 
Battles  protected  us  in  the  day  of  danger. 
\\'e  had  four  killed  and  ten  wounded.  The 
enemy  must  have  had  at  least  treble  the 
number  killed  and  wounded.  They  received 
such  a  beating  as  pre\ented  them  giving  us 
any  further  trouble  during  our  march  to 
\\'yoming  (W'ilkesbarre),  which  is  more 
than  fifty  miles  from  the  place  of  action. 
The  officers  of  my  regiment  behaved  well  to 
a  man.  All  the  party  will  acknowledge  the 
greatest  merit  and  bravery  of  Captain  Stod- 
dart.  I  cannot  say  enough  in  his  favor.  He 
deserves  the  esteem  of  his  country.  Lieu- 
tenant Carbery,  with  liis  horse,  was  very 
active,  and  rendered  important  services  till 
his  horses  were  fatigued.  Nearly  all  the 
other  officers  acquitted  themselves  with 
reputation.  Captain  Spalding  exerted  him- 
self as  much  as  possible.  Captain  Murrow, 
from  his  knowledge  of  Indian,  afl'airs  and 
their  mode  of  fighting,  was  serviceable. 
His  men  were  marksmen  and  were  useful. 


The  men  of  my  regiment  were  armed  with 
muskets  and  bayonets.  They  were  no  great 
marksmen,  and  were  awkward  at  wood 
fighting.  The  bullets  and  three  swan  shot 
in  each  piece  made  up,  in  some  measure,  for 
the  w^ant  of  skill.  Though  we  were  happy 
enough  to  succeed  in  this  action,  yet  I  am 
convinced  that  a  number  of  lighter  troops, 
under  good  officers,  are  necessary  for  this 
service. 

"On  the  third,  the  savages 
Reaches  and  scalped  three  men  who 
Wyoming,  had  imprudently  left  the  gar- 
rison at  Wyoming  to  go  in 
search  of  potatoes.  From  our  observations, 
we  imagine  that  the  same  party  wdio  had 
fought  us,  after  taking  care  of  their  dead 
and  wounded,  had  come  on  towards  Wyom- 
ing, and  are  now  in  that  neighborhood.  I 
left  half  of  my  detachment  there,  with  five 
of  my  own  officers.  Should  they  attempt  to 
invest  the  place  when  their  number  is  in- 
creased, I  make  no  doubt  but  they  will  be 
disappointed. 

"Our  garrisons  have  plenty  of  beef  and 
salt,  though  flour  is  scarce  at  Wyoming.  I 
arrived  here  with  the  remainder  of  the  de- 
tachment on  the  5th.  We  have  performed 
a  circuit  of  nearly  300  miles  in  about  two 
weeks,  ^^'e  brought  off  nearly  fifty  head 
of  cattle,  twenty-eight  canoes,  besides 
man}'  other  articles.  I  would  respectfully 
propose  that  the  Congress  would  be  pleased 
to  send  a  Connecticut  regiment  to  garrison 
Wyoming  as  soon  as  possible.  It  is  but  120 
miles  from  Fish  Kills,  New  York.  I  have 
done  all  I  can  for  the  good  of  the  whole.  I 
have  given  all  the  support  in  my  power  to 
the  post,  but  if  troops  are  not  immediately 
sent,  these  settlements  will  be  destro3'ed  in 
detail.  In  a  week  or  less  a  regiment  could 
march  from  Fish  Kills  to  Wyoming.  My 
little  regiment  with  two  classes  of  Lancaster 
and  Berks  County  Alilitia,  will  be  scarcely 
sufficient  to  preserve  the  posts  from  Nesco- 
pake  falls  to  Muncy,  and  from  thence  to  the 
liead  of  Penn's  Valley." 

The  report  sent  to  Congress  from  Sun- 
bury  by  Colonel  Hartley  was  received  with 
favor  both  by  Congress  and  the  Legislature 
of  Pennsvlvania.  For  his  success  the  execu- 
tive council  of  the  State  extended  to  him  a 
unanimous  vote  of  thanks.  Immediately 
after  sending  this  letter  to  Congress,  for  the 
purpose    of    guarding   the    frontier,    he    re- 


212 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


quested  that  "300  round  bullets  for  three 
pounders,  300  cartridges  of  grape  shot  for 
the  same  bore,  1,000  flints,  six  barrels  of 
powder,  a  quantity  of  twine  and  portfire,  a 
ream  of  cannon  cartridge  paper,"  and  some 
other  small  articles  be  sent  to  Sunbury.  He 
said  that  they  had  eight  cannon  firing  three 
pound  balls  on  the  frontier,  at  Forts  Muncy 
and  Antes. 

Colonel  Hartley  remained  in  the  military 
service  on  the  frontier  with  Sunbury  as  his 
headquarters  from  October,  1778,  until  De- 
cember of  that  3'ear,  when  he  was  elected  to 
represent  York  County  in  the  Pennsylvania 
Assembly.  Upon  his  retirement  from  the 
military  service.  Continental  Congress, 
deeming  the  reasons  for  his  resigning  satis- 
factory, bore  testimony  of  their  "high  sense 
of  Colonel  Hartley's  merit  and  services." 

The  commissioned  officers  of  Colonel 
Hartley's  Regiment,  in  June,  1777,  were  the 
following:  Colonel  Thomas  Hartley,  ap- 
pointed January  10,  1777;  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  r^I organ  Conner,  appointed  April  9, 
1777;  Major  Lewis  Bush,  January  12,  1777; 
Quartermaster  John  McAllister,  April  17, 
1777;  Adjutant  Robert  Ralston,  January  16, 
1777;  Paymaster  Thomond  Ball,  January 
.15,  1777;  Surgeon  Jacob  Swope,  January  15, 
1777;  Surgeon  Tracey,  February  5,  1777; 
Captain  Bernard  Eichelberger,  January  12, 
1777;  Captain  William  Nichols,  January  13, 
1777;  Captain  Robert  Hoopes,  January  13, 
1777;  Captain  Benjamin  C.  Stoddart,  Janu- 
ary 14,  1777;  Captain  William  Kelley,  Janu- 
ary 16,  1777;  Captain  Richard  Willson,  Feb- 
ruary 15,  1777;  Captain  George  Bush, 
March  i,  1777;  Captain  Archibald  ^NIcAUis- 
ter,  April  18,  1777;  First  Lieutenant  Paul 
Parker,  Januarj^  16,  1777;  First  Lieutenant 
James  Forrester,  January  23,  1777;  First 
Lieutenant  Horatio  Ross,  January  24,  1777; 
First  Lieutenant  James  Kenny,  January  25, 
1777;  First  Lieutenant  James  Dill,  Febru- 
ary 5,  1777;  First  Lieutenant  Count  De 
Momfort,  March  23,  1777;  First  Lieuten- 
ant Charles  Croxall,  May  25,  1777;  First 
Lieutenant  John  Hughes,  June  i,  1777; 
Second  Lieutenant  Andrew  Walker,  Janu- 
ary 12,  1777;  Second  Lieutenant  Isaac 
Sweeney,  January  23,  1777;  Second  Lieu- 
tenant Flenry  Carberry,  January  24,  1777; 
Second  Lieutenant  Martin  Eichelberger, 
January  25,  1777;  Second  Lieutenant  Wil- 
liam  McCurdy,  January  26,    1777;   Second 


Lieutenant  William  Clenuu,  Alay  26,  1777; 
Ensign  George  Hillery,  February  i,  1777; 
Ensign  John  McBride,  February  2,  1777; 
Ensign  James  McCalmon,  January  24,  1777  ; 
Ensign  John  Manghan,  February  25,  1777; 
Ensign  Nachel  Dorsey,  May  i,  1777;  En- 
sign John  Stake,  Alay  26,  1777. 

COLONEL  THOMAS  HARTLEY. 

Colonel  Thomas  Hartley  was  born  in 
Colebrookdale,  Pennsylvania,  September  7, 
1748.  His  father,  George  Hartley,  of  Eng- 
lish birth,  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  and 
a  leading  citizen  of  Berks  County.  In  his 
youth,  Thomas  Hartley  displayed  strong  in- 
tellectual endowments.  He  obtained  his 
preliminary  education  at  a  classical  school 
in  Reading.  In  1766,  when  eighteen  years 
of  age,  he  removed  to  York,  where  he 
entered  upon  the  study  of  law  with  Samuel 
Johnson,  a  relative  of  his  mother,  and  one 
of  the  early  members  of  the  York  County 
Bar.  He  was  admitted  to  the  practice  of 
law  at  York  in  1769.  Although  still  a  young 
man,  he  was  one  of  the  earliest  citizens 
west  of  the  Susquehanna  to  espouse  the 
cause  of  the  American  colonists  when  their 
rights  were  tread  upon  by  the  British 
crown. 

As  early  as  1774,  two  years  before  the 
Declaration  of  Independence,  Thomas  Hart- 
ley was  chosen  first  lieutenant  of  a  military 
company  at  York,  for  the  purpose  of 
making  disciplined  soldiers.  In  the  summer 
of  1775,  he  was  elected  lieutenant-colonel 
of  the  First  Battalion  of  York  County  As- 
sociators.  He  now  became  an  active  and 
zealous  patriot  and  was  chosen  lieutenant- 
colonel  of  a  battalion  of  "Minute  Men,"  se- 
lected from  the  other  five  battalions  of  as- 
sociators  in  York  County.  This  battalion 
was  ready  at  a  moment's  notice  for  any 
emergency  that  might  occur  between  the 
colonies  and  the  mother  country.  In  the 
fall  of  1775,  he  joined  the  expedition  to 
Canada  and  was  chosen  lieutenant-colonel 
of  Irvine's  regiment,  whose  history  is  given 
in  the  preceding  pages.  Upon  his  return 
from  the  Canada  campaign,  he  became  lieu- 
tenant-colonel of  the  Seventh  Pennsylvania 
Regiment.  The  remaining  part  of  his  mili- 
tary career  is  given  above. 

After  his  retirement  from  the  army,  he 
served  as  a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Legislature  in  1779,  meantime  devoting  his 


COL.  THOMAS  HARTLEY 


THE   RKVOI.UTION 


213 


attentions  to  Iiis  law  practice  at  York.  He 
was  chosen  a  member  of  the  Council  of 
Censors,  in  1783,  to  adjust  the  Revolution- 
ary claims  for  Pennsylvania.  In  1788,  he 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  first  Congress. 
The  success  of  his  career  in  the  House  of 
Representatives  for  a  period  of  twelve 
years,  is  given  in  the  chapter  relating  to  the 
Representatives  in  Congress  from  York 
County. 

Although  the  last  twelve  \-ears  of  his  life 
were  devoted  entirely  to  his  professional 
labors  and  to  his  brilliant  career  as  a  repre- 
sentative in  Congress,  of  which  he  was  one 
of  the  ablest  debaters,  he  kept  up  his  in- 
terest in  military  afifairs,  in  which  he  had 
won  distinction  during  the  Revolution,  and 
in  1800,  the  last  year  of  his  life,  was  chosen 
by  Governor  McKean,  major-general  of  the 
militia  within  the  present  area  of  York  and 
Adams  Counties. 

Colonel  Hartley  took  part  in  more  than 
twenty  skirmishes  and  battles  during  the 
Revolution.  He  was  noted  for  military  skill 
and  strategy,  and  always  showed  great 
courage  in  battle.  On  account  of  his 
achievements  and  his  amiable  personality, 
General  Washington  entertained  for  him 
the  highest  regard  and  afifection.  The 
authorities  of  Pennsylvania  and  Continental 
Congress  paid  high  tribute  to  his  worth  as 
a  soldier  and  to  his  sterling  patriotism, 
while  serving  in  the  army.  He  was  highly 
esteemed  by  his  fellow-ofificers  with  whom 
he  was  associated  during  the  war  for  inde- 
pendence. He  died  at  York,  December  21, 
1800,  at  the  early  age  of  fifty-two,  after 
having  nearly  completed  his  sixth  term  in 
Congress. 

MAJOR  JOSEPH  PROWELL,  of  the 
New  Eleventh  Regiment.  Pennsvlvania 
Line,  and  a  gallant  soldier  of  the  Revolu- 
tion, was  born  in  York  Count}'  in  1753. 
James  Prowell,  his  grandfather,  came  to 
-America  in  1705  with  the  early  \\'elsh  inuiii- 
gration,  and  settled  on  the  \\'elsh  tract  in 
the  northern  part  of  Chester  County.  'l"he 
children  of  James  Prowell  were  Charles, 
Mary  and  Thomas.  Charles  joined  a 
Chester  County  regiment  at  the  advanced 
age  of  sixty  years,  and  was  lost,  either 
killed  or  captured,  in  the  first  Jersey  cam- 
paign, during  the  Revolution.  Mary  was 
married  to  Richard  Buck,  in  the  First 
Presbyterian       Church       of       Philadeliihia. 


Thomas  Prowell,  the  youngest  son  and 
father  of  Major  Prowell,  was  a  prominent 
farmer  and  iron  manufacturer  of  Chester 
County.  In  1752,  he  was  married  in  Gloria 
Dei,  known  as  Old  Swede's  Church,  in  the 
southern  part  of  Philadelphia,  to  Rachel 
Griffith,  a  Quakeress  from  Chester  County. 
This  ceremony  took  place  shortly  after  this 
church  was  transferred  from  the  IvUtherans 
to  the  Episcopalians.  Many  of  the  relatives 
of  Rachel  Griffith  migrated  with  the  early 
Quakers,  who  settled  in  Warrington  and 
Newberry  Townships.  Soon  after  their 
marriage,  Thomas  and  Rachel  Prowell 
moved  to  \\'arrington,  where  he  purchased 
a  tract  of  land  near  the  Conewago.  They 
remained  in  York  Count\'  about  three 
years,  and  then  returned  to  Chester  County, 
where  the  youngest  son,  Captain  \\'illiam 
Prowell,  was  born  in  1755-  Thomas 
Prowell  died  in  1765,  leaving  an  estate  of 
412  pounds,  in  Chester  County,  of  which 
David  Thomas  and  Joseph  Coates  were 
executors;  and  an  estate  of  336  pounds  in 
York  County,  of  which  Robert  Nelson  and 
Peter  Gardner  were  executors.  His  will  be- 
fjueathed  equal  shares  to  his  widow  and  two 
sons,  and  named  Rev.  Owen  Thomas  as 
guardian  of  his  son  Joseph,  and  Joseph 
Coates  guardian  of  his  son  William. 

Joseph  Prowell  was  educated  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  Pennsylvania,  and  early  in  life 
engaged  in  the  iron  business  with  his 
brother  William.  At  the  opening' of  the 
war  for  independence,  he  was  a  member  of 
the  Philadelphia  Light  Horse,  afterward 
known  as  the  City  Troop.  This  famous 
cavalry  company  was  present  at  the  battles 
of  Trenton  and  Princeton  in  1776. 

On  January  11,  1777,  Joseph  Prowell  was 
detached  from  the  City  Troop  and  •  com- 
missioned a  captain  in  Colonel  John  Pat- 
ton's  additional  regiment  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Line,  composed  of  men  from  Chester 
and  Philadelphia  Counties.  \\'ith  this  regi- 
ment he  took  part,  during  that  year,  in  the 
battles  of  Brandywine  and  Germantown. 
For  his  military  skill  and  gallantry  in  action 
Captain  Prowell  was  promoted  major  of 
his  regiment  January  i,  1778.  On  January 
13,  1779,  Major  Prowell  was  transferred  to 
the  New  Eleventh  Pennsylvania  Regiment, 
whose  command  was  assigned  to  Colonel 
Thomas  Hartley,  of  York.  When  it  was 
decided  to  send  an  expedition,  under  Gen- 


214 


HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUXTY,    PEXXSYL\\\XIA 


eral  Sullivan,  against  the  Indians  in  the 
■^^'yoming  Valley,  in  Pennsylvania,  and 
Ciierry  Valley,  in  Xew  York,  Major 
Prowell  commanded  a  detachment  of  the 
Xe\A'  Eleventh  Regiment,  in  all  200  men,  to 
lead  the  advance.  He  marched  from  Easton 
and  reached  Bear  Creek,  about  ten  miles 
southwest  of  ^^'ilkes-Barre,  on  the  night  of 
April  19.  It  was  now  thought  they  were 
out  of  danger  from  the  Indians.  Major 
Prowell  ordered  that  officers  and  men 
should  dress  in  their  best  apparel,  their 
arms  be  newly  burnished,  and  everything 
be  put  in  order  to  present  a  fine  appearance 
upon  entering  the  beautiful  A\'voming  Val- 
ley. 

AMien  they  reached  Laurel  Run,  four 
miles  southwest  of  A\'ilkesbarre,  they  were 
attacked  by  a  band  of  Indians  lying  in  am- 
bush, when  Captain  Davis,  Lieutenant 
Jones,  Corporal  Butler  and  three  privates 
were  killed.  Owing  to  this  surprise  the 
troops  were  thrown  into  confusion.  They 
retreated  a  short  distance  and  formed  in 
line  of  battle  and  succeeded  in  dispersing 
the  Indians,  who  fled  after  a  few  scattering- 
discharges,  and  the  troops  entered  the  val- 
ley to  garrison  the  fort  at  Wyoming,  where 
the  massacre  had  occurred  some  time 
before.  After  the  close  of  the  war  Major 
Prowell  became  a  shipping  merchant  in 
Philadelphia,  engaged  in  trade  with  many 
foreign  ports.  On  June  4,  1804,  he  took  sick 
while  on  board  his  \essel,  wdiich  he  landed 
on  the  Barbadoes  Islands,  east  of  the  West 
Indies,  and  the  same  day  made  his  will. 
From  this  sickness  he  partially  recovered, 
landed  at  Philadelphia,  and  a  few  days  later 
added  a  codicil  to  his  will,  in  his  own  hand- 
\\riting:  "at  the  house  of  my  esteemed 
friends.  Captain  James  Josiah  and  his 
estimable  lady,  near  Philadelphia."  There 
he  dted  on  April  3,  1805,  aged  fifty-three 
years.  He  was  buried  with  "the  honors  of 
war"  by  the  City  Troop  of  Philadelphia. 

Major  Prowell  is  remembered  tradition- 
ally as  a  bold,  daring  and  fearless  officer, 
and  had  a  romantic  history.  '  He  partici- 
pated in  the  sailors'  troubles  with  the 
pirates  of  the  Barbary  States,  and  afterward 
owned  large  possessions  in  the  Colony  of 
Dernaii.  He  owned  a  plantation  called 
"Washington,"  in  the  Colony  of  Berbice, 
and  there  assisted  the  British  government 
to    quell     an     insurrection     in     1803.       The 


executors  of  Alajor  Prowell's  estate  were 
David  Lennox,  of  Philadelphia:  Robert  and 
William  Pulsford,  of  London;  and  John 
Douglass,  of  the  Colony  of  Berbice — in  each 
of  wdiich  places  he  had  possessions. 


CHAPTER  XV 

REVOLUTION— Continued. 

The  Pennsylvania  Line  at  York — Execu- 
tion at  York — Pulaski's  Legion — Ar- 
mand's  Legion — Quartermasters'  Posts 
in  York  County. 

In  February,  1781,  Congress  resolved  to 
send  the  Pennsylvania  Line  to  Virginia  for 
the  purpose  of  joining"  the  southern  army 
under  General  Nathaniel  Greene,  then  re- 
treating northward  through  the  Carolinas, 
closely  pursued  by  Lord  Cornwallis.  A  de- 
tachment of  the  British  army  under  Bene- 
dict Arnold  and  William  Philips  had  landed 
at  Richmond  and  was  threatening  to  invade 
the  State  of  Virginia.  Thomas  Jefferson 
was  the  governor  of  that  state  and  the 
Legislature  had  removed  to  Charlottes- 
ville. 

The  Pennsylvania  Line,  now  under  the 
command  of  General  Arthur  St.  Clair,  was 
ordered  to  rendezvous  at  York.  It  was 
composed  of  two  brigades  commanded  re- 
spectively by  Anthony  Wayne  and  AA^illiam 
Irvine.  The  mutiny  which  had  occurred  in 
December,  1780,  while  the  Pennsylvania 
Line  was  in  X^ew  Jersey,  had  been  settled, 
largely  through  the  influence  of  General 
Anthony  Wayne,  but  many  of  the  troops 
had  been  discharged  and  had  returned  to 
their  homes.  Early  in  January,  1781,  six 
regiments  of  the  Line  and  Proctor's  Artil- 
lery, both  much  reduced  in  numbers,  were 
stationed  at  different  places  in  Pennsyl- 
vania for  the  purpose  of  recruiting.  The 
First  Regiment,  under  Colonel  Daniel 
Broadhead,  was  sent  to  York ;  the  Second, 
Colonel  AValter  Stewart,  to  Yellow  Springs; 
the  Third,  Colonel  Thomas  Craig,  to  Eas- 
ton; the  Fourth,  Colonel  AVilliam  Butler,  to 
Carlisle;  the  Fifth,  Colonel  Richard  Butler, 
to  Reading;  the  Sixth,  Colonel  Richard 
Humpton,  to  Lebanon,  and  the  Artillery, 
under  Colonel  Thomas  Proctor,  to  New- 
town.    Other  regiments  were  stationed  at 


THE   REVOLUTIOX  2:5 

Fort  Pitt,  in  western  Penns\l\ania.  Gen-  "The  parties  from  the  several 
eral  Irvine,  of  Carlisle,  who  had  served  with  Ordered  regiments  which  are  to  compose 
credit  in  the  Canada  and  Xew  Jersey  cam-  to  York,  tlie  first  detachment,  have  orders 
paigns,  was  assigned  to  superintend  the  re-  to  march  from  the  cantonments 
crniting  throughout  the  State,  and  General  to  York,  the  moment  the  auditors  have 
Wayne  was  ordered  to  York.  At  this  finished  the  settlements,  respectively.  You 
juncture,  Washington  wrote  to  St.  Clair :  will,  therefore,  repair  to  York  as  soon  as 
"Congress  has  determined  conveniently  may  be,  to  make  the  necessary 
Washington's  that  the  Pennsylvania  Line,  arrangements  and  take  such  measures  as 
Letter.  except  Moylan's  Dragoons,  may  prevent,  as  much  as  possible,  any  delay 
and  other  troops  to  the  at  that  place.  You  will  please  to  take  the 
westward,  shall  compose  part  of  the  South-  command  of  it  upon  yourself,  and  proceed, 
ern  Army,  and  has  directed  me  to  order  it  by  the  enclosed  route,  to  join  General 
to  join  the  army  in  Virginia  by  detach-  Greene  with  all  the  dispatch  that  the  nature 
ments,  as  they  may  be  in  readiness  to  of  the  case  will  admit  of.  Should  anj'  oper- 
march.  You  will,  therefore,  in  obedience  to  ations  of  the  enemy  render  the  passage  at 
the  above  resolve,  put  matters  in  a  proper  Alexandria  precarious,  you  are  not  to  con- 
train  to  carry  it  into  execution  with  all  dis-  sider  yourself  as  bound  Ijy  the  route,  but 
patch  possible.  You  will  now,  in  case  cir-  will  make  choice  of  such  other  place  to  cross 
cumstances  should  permit  the  detachment  the  Potomac  where  it  may  be  done  with 
under  the  command  of  Lafayette  to  proceed  safety,  making  as  little  detour  as  possible, 
down  the  Chesapeake,  not  confine  yourself  As  several  of  the  squads  must  pass  through 
to  a  single  battalion  of  four  hundred  men,  Lancaster  and  there  be  supplied  with  pro- 
as mentioned  in  mine  of  the  22d,  but  en-  visions  to  carry  them  to  York,  give  atten- 
deavor  to  send  as  many  as  possible  by  so  tion  to  these  matters  in  your  way  so  as  to 
good  and  expeditious  a  conveyance.  facilitate   their   march,    and   prevent   disap- 

"I    think    it    essential    that    one    of    the  pointment.     I  wish  you  a  prosperous  jour- 
brigadiers  should  proceed  to  Virginia  with  ney,  and  all  happiness. 

the  first  detachment  that  moves,  and  there  "Yott  will  please  to  favor  me  with  an  ac- 
be  ready  to  receive  and  form  the  remainder  count  of  the  return  of  the  numbers  you 
as  they  come  on.  There  may  be  greater  march  with,  and  direct  the  brigade  quarter- 
necessity  of  an  ofhcer  of  rank  being  at  hand,  master  to  forward  a  return  of  the  camp 
as  the  Line,  from  the  late  disturbances  in  it,  equipage  and  utensils  received  by  him.  Let 
will  have  lost  somewdiat  of  its  discipline,  me  know,  also,  what  number  of  arms  were 
General  Irvine,  being  employed  in  superin-  sent  on  to  York.  If  there  is  any  surplus, 
tending  the  recruiting  business,  the  duty  de-  they  may  be  stored  and  left  under  the  care 
volves  upon  General  Wa\-ne.  I  ha\e  writ-  of  the  commanding  officer  at  that  place,  as 
ten  to  him  on  the  subject."  also  any  surplus  of    blankets    beyond    that 

In     March,     Lafayette     proceeded     from  which  completes  the  detachment." 

Philadelphia  with  1,000  New  England  and  The     Pennsylvania     Line     at 

New  Jersey  troops  to  Baltimore,  whence  he  Recruiting.     York,  under  Wayne,  was  com- 

moved  to  Fredericksburg,  Virginia.     In  ac-  posed    of    two    hundred    men 

cordance    with    instructions,    the    different  from    the    First    regiment,     120    from    the 

regiments  of  the  Pennsylvania  Line  at  their  Second.  80   from  the  Third,    160  from  the 

places  of  cantonment  in  this  state,  had  been  Fourth,  240  from  the  Fifth  and  160  from  the 

increased  in  numbers  by  recruits.     Prepara-  Sixth.      \\'ayne's    force    was    formed    into 

tions  were  then  made  to  rendezvous  these  three    battalions,    commanded    respectively 

troops  at  York.     General  Anthony  Wayne,  by  Colonel  Richard  Butler,  Colonel  Walter 

who  had  already  won  distinction  as  a  sol-  Stewart     and     Colonel    Richard    Humpton. 

dier   in    several    battles    of   the    Revolution  Nine  officers  and  ninety  men  with  six  field 

and    had    displayed    remarkable    skill    and  pieces    from    Proctor's    Fourth   Continental 

strategy  in  the  capture  of  Stony  Point  on  Artillery  were  added    to    the    detachment, 

the  Hudson,  was  ordered  to  command  the  This,   together    with    recruits    received    at 

first  detachment    to    be    sent    to    Virginia.  York,   increased  his  command  to  nearly  a 

May  2.  1781,  St.  Clair  wrote  to  Wayne:  thousand  men.     It  was  a  long  and  tedious 


2l6 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY.    PEXXSYLVAXIA 


business  to  reorganize  the  men  and  procure 
the  needed  suppHes  for  the  expedition.  In 
the  efforts  to  prepare  them  for  the  campaign 
he  was  embarrassed  by  difficulties  of  the 
same  sort  that  had  been  encountered  since 
the  beginning  of  the  war.  Recruits  for  the 
expedition  were  scarce,  the  needed  supplies 
were  not  forthcoming,  and  the  worthless 
paper  which  was  given  to  pzy  his  men,  it 
was  soon  discovered  would  purchase 
nothing  in  the  way  of  the  commonest  neces- 
saries. No  allowance  being  made  for  the 
actual  depreciation  of  this  miscalled  money 
below  its  nominal  value,  there  was  much 
discontent  on  the  part  of  the  men  to  whom 
it  was  offered.  The  result  of  this  renewed 
attempt  on  the  part  of  the  state  to  pay  its 
soldiers  in  nominal  money,  when  it  had 
agreed  to  pay  them  in  what  was  real,  is 
clearly  expressed  in  the  following  letter  of 
Wayne,  May  20,  1781 : 

"\Mien  I  arrived  at  York  there  was 
scarcely  a  horse  or  a  carriage  fit  to  transport 
any  part  of  our  baggage  or  supplies.  This 
dif^culty  I  found  means  to  remedy  by  bar- 
tering one  species  of  public  property  to  pro- 
cure another.  The  troops  were  retarded  in 
advancing  to  the  general  rendezvous  by  the 
unaccountable  delay  of  the  auditors  who 
were  appointed  to  settle  and  pay  the  propor- 
tion of  the  depreciation  due  them,  which, 
when  received,  was  not  equal  to  one-seventh 
part  of  its  nominal  value.  This  was  an 
alarming  circumstance.  The  soldier}^  but 
too  sensibly  felt  the  imposition;  nor  did  the 
conduct  or  counsel  of  the  inhabitants  tend 
to  moderate  but  rather  to  inflame  their 
minds  by  refusing  to  part  with  anything 
which  the  soldiers  needed  in  exchange  for 
it,  saying  it  was  not  worth  accepting,  and 
that  they  (the  soldiers)  ought  not  to  march 
until  justice  was  done  them.  To  minds  al- 
ready susceptible  to  this  kind  of  impression 
and  whose  recent  revolt  was  fresh  in  their 
memory  little  more  was  wanting  to  stimu- 
late them  to  try  it  again.  The  day  ante- 
cedent to  that  on  which  the  march  was  to 
commence,  a  few  leading  mutineers  on  the 
right  of  each  regiment  called  out  to  pay 
them  in  real  and  not  ideal  money,  they  were 
no  longer  to  be  trifled  with.  Upon  this  they 
were  ordered  to  their  tents,  which,  being 
peremptorily  refused,  the  principals  were 
immediately  either  knocked  down  or  con- 
fined by  the  officers,   who  were   previously 


prepared  for  this  event.  A  court-martial 
was  ordered  on  the  spot,  the  commission  of 
the  crime,  trial  and  execution  were  all  in- 
cluded in  the  course  of  a  few  hours  in  front 
of  the  line  paraded  under  arms.  The  de- 
termined countenances  of  the  officers  pro- 
duced a  conviction  to  the  soldiery  that  the 
sentence  of  the  court-martial  would  be  car- 
ried into  execution  at  every  risk  and  conse- 
quence. ^^'hether  by  design  or  accident, 
the  particular  friends  and  messmates  of  the 
culprits  were  their  executioners,  and  while 
the  tears  rolled  down  their  cheeks  in 
showers,  they  silently  and  faithfully  obeyed 
their  orders  without  a  moment's  hesitation. 
Thus  was  this  hideous  monster  crushed  in 
its  birth,  however,  to  myself  and  officers  a 
most  painful  scene." 

AA'hile  General  AVayne  was  in  York  he 
occupied  the  building  at  the  northwest  cor- 
ner of  Market  and  Beaver  Streets  as  his 
headquarters.  His  troops  were  encamped 
on  the  public  common,  now  Penn  Park. 

Before  he  had  finished  the  organization 
of  his  brigade,  Washington  wrote: 

"The  critical  condition  of  our  southern 
affairs,  and  the  reinforcements  sent  by  the 
enemy  to  that  quarter,  urge  the  necessity  of 
moving  as  large  a  proportion  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania Line  as  possible,  without  a  mo- 
ment's loss  of  time.  Indeed  I  hope  before 
this,  by  the  measures  you  have  taken,  all 
the  impediments  to  a  movement  will  have 
been  obviated.  I  am  persuaded  your  utmost 
and  unremitting  exertions  will  not  be  want- 
ing on  this  and  every  occasion  of  serving 
your  country  so  essentially,  that  they  may 
be  e\er  crowned  with  success,  that  nothing 
but  propitious  events  may  attend  you  on  the 
march." 

Mav   26,    Wayne's   corps,    much 

Marches      smaller  in  numljer  than  he  had 

to  anticipated  and  by  no  means  well 

Virginia,     equipped,      began      the      march 

southward  from  York. 

Captain  Joseph  McClellan,  who  served  in 
this  expedition,  kept  an  interesting  diary 
describing  the  march  from  York  to  Virginia. 
According  to  his  record.  General  Wayne 
and  his  troops  began  to  march  at  9  A.  M. 
of  May  26.  On  the  evening  of  that  day 
they  encamped  along  the  hillside  in  Heidel- 
berg Township,  near  the  present  site  of 
Menges'  Mills.  At  daylight  on  the  27th, 
General  Wavne  ordered  the  drums  to  beat 


THE  COOKES    HOUSE  ON  KING'S  MILL  ROAD,  WHERE  THE  GOVERN- 
MENT RECORDS  WERE  FIRST  DEPOSITED  ON  SEPTEMBER  30, 1777 


HE.\DOL-ARTEKs.   OF  GENERAL    WAVNE,    AT    THE  NORTHWEST    COKNEK    OF 
MARKET  AND  BEAVER  STREETS,  WHILE  HIS  BRIGADE  WAS  EN- 
CAMPED AT  YORK  IN   17'-1 


THE  REVOLUTION 


217 


as  a  signal  to  take  up  the  march.  The}' 
passed  througli  Hanover  and  halted  at  Lit- 
tlestown,  a  distance  of  fourteen  miles. 
Continuing  the  march,  Captain  McClellan 
says :  "We  passed  through  Taneytown,  and 
halted  upon  the  bank  of  Pipe  Creek,  being 
fourteen  miles. 

"May  29.  Marched  at  9  o'clock,  and  en- 
camped about  12  on  the  south  bank  of  the 
Monocacy,  being  fourteen  miles. 

"The  troops  took  up  the  line  of  march  at 
3  A.  M.  and  encamped  on  the  S.  W.  of 
Monocac}',  14  miles. 

"May  30.  Continued  on  the  ground  for 
the  men  to  wash  and  clean  their  arms. 
Reviewed  at  5  P.  M.  At  7  P.  M.  we  were 
reviewed  by  General  Wayne. 

"May  31.     ?klarched    at    sunrise;    passed 


through     Fredericktown     about     8, 


;here 


there  were  a  number  of  British  officers  who 
were  prisoners  of  war.  They  took  a  view 
of  us  as  we  passed  through  the  town.  Con- 
tinued our  march  to  the  Potomac,  at  No- 
land's  Ferry,  where  we  halted  some  time 
for  the  artillery  and  baggage  to  cross.  The 
troops  crossed  in  the  e\'ening.  and  halted 
one  mile  from  the  ferry  and  lay  without 
tents.  It  rained  most  of  the  night.  In 
crossing  there  were  four  men  drowned  by 
one  of  the  boats  sinking.  Our  march  this 
da}'  was  16  miles,  besides  crossing  the  ferry. 
We  crossed  the  Potomac  at  Noland's  Ferry 
in  bad  scows.  One  sunk,  in  which  one  ser- 
geant and  three  privates  of  our  regiment 
(First)  were  drowned." 

June  7,  with  his  force  reduced 
Joins  to  about  900  men  as  the  result 

Lafayette,  of  the  long  march,  Wayne  ar- 
rived at  Fredericksburg,  where 
he  joined  Lafayette,  who  had  a  force  of 
1,200  men.  Before  Wayne  arrived  in  Vir- 
ginia, Richmond  had  been  burned  by  the 
English  under  Philips  and  Arnold.  The 
State  Legislature  had  moved  to  Charlottes- 
ville, the  home  of  Thomas  Jefferson,  who 
was  then  the  governor  of  Virginia.  Preda- 
tory parties  were  then  scouring  this  state 
and  Jefferson,  at  his  home,  narrowly  es- 
caped being  captured  by  a  band  of  the 
British  under  Tarleton.  Lafayette  and 
W'ayne  commanded  the  only  .Vmerican 
forces  then  in  Virginia.  The  object  of 
Wayne  and  Lafayette  now  was  to  check  the 
raids  of  the  English  detachments  sent  into 


the  interior  of  Virginia  intent  on  robbery 
and  the  destruction  of  military  stores. 

Meanwhile,     Greene    had    re- 

The  treated  northward  through  the 

Surrender     State  of  North  Carolina,  closely 

of  followed   by   Lord   Cornwallis. 

Cornwallis.    Washington  moved  southward 

from  the  vicinity  of  New  York 
with  6,000  men  and  the  French  fleet  arrived 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Chesapeake.  Wash- 
ington united  the  forces  under  Greene, 
Lafayette  and  Wayne  with  his  own  army, 
numbering  in  all  16,000  men,  in  front  of 
Cornwallis  at  Yorktown,  Virginia,  wdiile 
the  French  fleet  closed  in  behind  and  pre- 
^•ented  the  enemy  from  escaping.  The 
siege  and  battle  of  Yorktown  followed,  and 
on  October  19,  Cornwallis  surrendered  his 
entire  army.  This  was  the  last  important 
engagement  of  the  Revolution. 

EXECUTION  AT  YORK. 

Samuel  Dewees  was  serving  as  a  fifer  in 
Colonel  Richard  Butler's  regiment  when  it 
was  encamped  at  York.  After  the  Revolu- 
tion he  resided  in  Maryland  until  his  death, 
about  1836.  He  served  as  a  captain  of 
Maryland  troops  in  the  war  of  1812  and  with 
his  company  helped  to  defend  Baltimore 
against  the  British,  in  September,  1814. 
About  thirty  years  after  the  Revolution  he 
wrote  and  published  a  book  describing  his 
experiences  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution. 
Captain  Dewees  was  a  witness  to  the  shoot- 
ing at  York  of  four  soldiers  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Line  in  1781.  He  describes  the  un- 
fortunate affair  as  follows : 

"Whilst  we  lay  at  Lebanon  a  circum- 
stance transpired  worthy  of  notice,  and 
which  I  here  record  as  a  prelude  to  the 
tragic  event  at  York.  A  sergeant,  who  was 
known  by  the  appellation  of  Macaroni 
Jack,  a  very  intelligent,  active,  neat  and 
clever  fellow,  had  committed  some  trivial 
offence.  He  had  his  wife  with  him  in  camp, 
who  always  kept  him  \ery  clean  and  neat  in 
his  appearance.  She  was  washerwoman  to 
a  number  of  soldiers,  myself  among  the 
number.  She  was  a  very  well  behaved  and 
good  conditioned  woman. 

"The  officers  for  the  purpose  of  making 
an  impression  upon  him  and  to  better  his 
conduct,  ordered  him  to  be  brought  from 
the  guard  house,  which  done,  he  was  tied  up 
and   the  drummers  ordered  to  give  him   a 


211 


HISTORY   OF  YORK  COUNTY,    PEXXSYLVANIA 


certain  number  of  lashes  upon  his  bare  back. 
The  intention  of  the  officers  was  not  to 
chastise  him. 

"When  he  was  tied  up  he  looked  around 
and  addressed  the  soldiers,  exclaiming  at 
the  same  time,  'dear  brother  soldiers,  won't 
you  help  me.'  This,  in  the  eyes  of  the 
officers,  savored  of  mutiny  and  they  called 
out,  'take  him  down,  take  him  down.'  The 
order  was  instantl}-  obeyed,  and  he  was 
taken  back  to  the  guard  house  again  and 
hand-cufifed.  At  this  time  there  were  two 
deserters  confined  with  him.  On  the  next 
or  second  day  after  this,  we  were  ordered 
on  to  Y'ork,  Pa.,  where,  upon  our  arrival, 
we  encamped  upon  the  common  below  the 
town.  Our  three  prisoners  were  confined  in 
York  jail.  In  a  few  days  after  we  arrived  at 
Y^ork,  a  soldier  by  the  name  of  Jack  Smith, 
and  another  soldier  whose  name  I  do  not 
now  remember,  were  engaged  in  playing 
long  bullets.  While  thus  engaged  some  of 
the  officers  were  walking  along  the  road, 
where  they  were  throwing"  the  bullets.  The 
bullets  passing  near  the  officers,  they  used 
very  harsh  language  to  Smith  and  his  com- 
rade, who  immediately  retorted  by  using 
the  same  kind  of  indecorous  language.  A 
file  of  men  was  immediately  despatched 
with  orders  to  take  Smith  and  his  comrade 
under  guard  and  march  them  oiT  to  York 
jail. 

"In  three  or  four  days  after  these 
arrests  were  made,  a  sergeant  of  the 
name  of  Lilly  was  offensive.  He  was 
a  very  fine  fellow  and  an  excellent 
scholar,  so  much  so,  that  much  of  the 
regimental  writing  fell  to  his  lot  to  do, 
and  for  which  he  received  a  remuneration  in 
some  way.  This  sergeant  having  become 
intoxicated,  had  quarreled  with  one  or  more 
of  his  messmates,  and  upon  some  of  the 
officers  coming  around  to  inquire  what  the 
matter  was,  found  him  out  of  his  tent.  The 
officers  scolded  him  and  bade  him  to  go  into 
his  quarters.  Lilly  having  been  much  in 
favor  and  knowing  his  abilities  and  the  ser- 
vices rendered,  was  (although  intoxicated) 
very  much  wounded  and  could  not  bear  to 
be  thus  harshly  dealt  with  and  used  lan- 
guage of  an  unbecoming  kind  to  his  superior 
officers.  The  officers  immediately  ordered 
him  to  be  taken  to  York  jail. 

"On  the  next  day  in  the  morning  we  beat 
up    the    troop.      After    roll    call,    we    were 


ordered  to  beat  up  the  troop  again.  The 
whole  line  was  again  formed,  and  I  think 
the  orders  were,  for  every  soldier  to  appear 
in  line,  with  his  knapsack  on  his  back.  I 
suppose  that  at  this  time  there  were  parts 
of  three  regiments,  in  all  800  or  1,000  men 
lying  at  Y'ork,  the  whole  of  which  was  com- 
manded by  Colonel  Anthony  Wayne.  The 
whole  body,  sentinels,  invalids,  etc.,  ex- 
cepted, when  formed  were  marched  to  the 
distance  of  about  half  a  mile  from  the  camp. 
Twenty  men  were  then  ordered  out  of  the 
line  and  formed  into  marching  order  and  all 
the  musicians  placed  at  their  head.  After 
remaining  a  short  time  in  a  marching  pos- 
ture, the  order  of  forward  was  given.  We 
were  then  marched  direct  to  the  jail  door. 
The  prisoners,  six  in  number,  were  then 
brought  out  and  their  sentence,  which  was 
death,  was  read  to  them. 

"At  this  time  it  was  thought  that  none  in 
the  line  save  the  officers  knew  for  what  the 
provost  guard  was  detached,  but  it  appeared 
afterwards  that  previous  to  the  firing  which 
was  the  means  of  launching  four  out  of  the 
six  into  eternity,  the  matter  of  rescuing 
them  was  whispered  among  the  soldiers, 
but  they  did  not  concert  measures  in  time, 
to  prevent  the  awful  catastrophe  which  they 
meditated,  by  an  act  of  insubordination 
upon  their  part. 

"After  the  sentence  of  death  w'as  read  to 
the  condemned  soldiers  at  the  jail  door,  we 
then  marched  them  out  and  down  below 
town,  playing  the  'dead  march'  in  front  of 
them.  We  continued  our  march  full  half  a 
mile  and  halted  on  a  piece  of  ground  (the 
Common)  adjoining  a  field  of  rye  which  was 
then  in  blossom.  This  was  sometime  in 
the  earhr  part  of  May,  1781.  After  a  halt 
was  made,  the  prisoners  were  ordered  to 
kneel  down  with  their  backs  to  the  rye  field 
fence.  Their  eyes  were  then  bandaged  or 
co\-ered  over  with  silk  handkerchiefs.  The 
officer  in  command  then  divided  his  force  of 
twenty  men  into  two  platoons.  The  whole 
was  then  ordered  to  load  their  pieces.  This 
done,  ten  were  ordered  to  advance,  and  at 
the  signal  given  by  the  officer,  which  was 
the  wave  of  his  pocket  handkerchief,  the 
first  platoon  of  ten  fired  at  one  of  the  six. 
Macaroni  Jack  was  the  first  shot  and  in- 
stantly killed.  The  first  platoon  was  then 
ordered  to  retire  and  reload,  and  the  second 
platoon  of  ten  ordered  to  advance.     When 


THE    REVOLUTIOX 


219 


the  signal  was  again  given,  Sniitli  shared 
the  same  fate,  but  with  an  awfuhiess  that 
would  have  made  even  devils  to  have  shrunk 
back  and  stood  appalled.  His  head  was 
literally  blown  in  fragments  from  ofT  his 
body.  The  second  platoon  was  then  ordered 
to  retire  and  reload,  whilst  the  first  was 
ordered  to  advance  and  at  the  same  signal 
fired  at  the  third  man.  The  second  platoon 
then  advanced  and  fired  to  order,  at  Ser- 
geant Lilly,  whose  brave  and  noble  soul  was 
instantly  on  the  wing  to  the  presence  of  the 
Supreme  Judge,  who  has  pledged  himself 
that  he  will  do  that  which  is  right.  The 
arms  of  each  had  been  tied  above  their 
elbows  with  the  cords  passing  behind  their 
backs.  Being  thus  tied,  enabled  them  to 
have  the  use  of  their  hands.  I  ventured 
near  and  noticed  that  Macaroni  Jack  had 
his  hands  clasped  together  in  front  of  his 
breast  and  had  both  of  his  thumbs  shot  ofi. 
The  distance  that  the  platoons  stood  from 
them  at  the  time  the}'  tired  could  not  have 
been  more  than  ten  feet.  So  near  did  they 
stand  that  the  handkerchiefs  covering  the 
eyes  of  some  of  them  that  were  shot  were 
set  on  fire.  The  fence  and  even  the  heads 
of  rye  for  some  distance  within  the  field 
were  covered  with  blood  and  brains.  After 
four  were  shot,  we  musicians  with  a  portion 
of  the  twenty  men  were  ordered  to  march 
and  were  then  conducted  up  to  the  main  line 
of  the  army.  After  our  arrival  there,  the 
whole  line  was  thrown  into  marching  order 
and  led  to  the  scene  of  bloody  death. 
A\'hen  the  troops  advanced  near  to  the  spot 
they  deployed  ofif  into  double  file  and  were 
then  marched  very  near  to  the  dead  bodies, 
as  also  to  those  still  on  their  knees  waiting 
the  awful  death  that  they  had  every  reason 
to  believe  still  awaited  them.  The  order 
was  for  every  man  to  look  upon  the  bodies 
as  he  passed,  and  in  order  that  the  soldiers 
in  line  might  behold  them  more  distinctly  in 
passing  the}'  were  ordered  to  countermarch 
after  they  had  passed  and  then  marched  as 
close  to  them  upon  their  return. 

"The  two  deserters  that  were  still  in  a 
kneeling  posture  were  reprieved,  the  band- 
ages taken  from  their  eyes,  then  untied,  and 
restored  to  their  respective  companies." 

COLONEL  RICHARD  BUTLER,  of 
Wayne's  brigade,  was  born  in  York  County, 
April  I,  1743.  He  was  the  son  of  Thomas 
and  Eleanor  Butler,  who  came  from  Ireland 


to  America,  and  settled  "near  the  Conewago 
on  the  west  side  of  the  Susquehanna,"  in 
the  original  area  of  York  County.  He  was 
educated  in  the  classical  school  taught  by 
Rev.  Mr.  Allison  in  Chester  County,  and 
then  studied  law.  In  1764,  he  served  in 
Bouquet's  expedition  against  the  Indians 
of  western  Pennsylvania.  At  the  opening 
of  the  Revolution,  he  was  chosen  major  of 
the  Eighth  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  and 
soon  after,  lieutenant-colonel  of  Morgan's 
rifles.  He  was  present  with  the  northern 
army  under  Gates  at  the  surrender  of  Bur- 
goyne  at  Saratoga  in  October,  1777,  and  at 
the  battle  of  Monmouth  in  1778.  He  soon 
after  became  colonel  of  the  Ninth  Pennsyl- 
vania Regiment,  which  he  commanded  at 
the  battle  of  Stony  Point.  He  came  to  York 
in  the  spring  of  1781,  and  commanded  a 
regiment  of  the  Pennsylvania  Line.  In  May 
of  that  year,  he  marched  with  Wayne's 
brigade  to  Yorktown,  Virginia,  joining 
Lafay"ette's  command  at  Fredericksburg. 
While  with  Lafayette's  division  near  Wil- 
liamsburg, Virginia,  he  attacked  Colonel 
Simcoe's  rangers,  gaining  the  advantage. 
After  the  war,  he  settled  in  Carlisle,  and  in 
1788  was  member  of  the  State  Legislature, 
from  Cumberland  County.  In  1787,  he  was 
agent  for  the  Indian  affairs  in  Ohio,  and  in 
the  expedition  of  St.  Clair's  campaign 
against  the  Indians,  in  1791,  commanded 
the  right  wing,  with  the  rank  of  major- 
general.  When  attacked  early  in  the  morn- 
ing of  November  4,  he  repeatedly  charged 
the  enemy,  received  several  severe  wounds 
and  was  finally  killed.  Butler  County,  in 
"western  Pennsylvania,  was  named  in  his 
honor. 

Colonel  William  Butler,  his  brother,  was 
lieutenant-colonel  of  the  Fourth  Pennsyl- 
vania Regiment  in  the  Revolutionary  army. 
In  October,  1778,  after  the  destruction  of 
Wyoming  by  John  Butler  and  the  Indians, 
he  conducted  an  expedition  from  Schoharie, 
which  destroyed  the  Indian  settlements  of 
Unadilla  and  Anaguaga. 

Thomas,  another  brother,  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania,  in  1754.  In  1776,  while 
studying  law  with  Judge  Wilson,  of  Phila- 
delphia, he  joined  the  army,  soon  obtained 
a  company,  and  was  in  almost  every  action 
in  the  middle  states  during  the  Revolution. 
At  Brandywine,  September  11,  1777,  he  re- 
ceived  the   thanks   of   Washington   on   the 


220 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY,    PEXNSYLVANI.V 


field  for  intrepidit}'  in  rall\-ing  a  retreating 
detachment.  At  Monmouth  lie  was  thanked 
by  Wayne  for  defending  a  defile  in  the  face 
of  a  heavy  fire,  while  Colonel  Richard  But- 
ler's regiment  withdrew.  After  the  war  he 
retired  to  a  farm,  but  in  1791,  was  made 
major,  and  commanded  a  battalion  from 
Carlisle  in  Gibson's  regiment,  under  St. 
Clair,  at  whose  defeat,  November  4,  he  was 
twice  wounded.  He  became  major  of  the 
fourth  sub-legion  on  April  11,  1792,  lieu- 
tenant-colonel commanding  the  Fourth  In- 
fantry on  July  I,  1792,  and' on  the  reorgan- 
ization of  the  army  on  a  peace  basis,  in  June, 
1802,  was  retained  as  colonel  of  the  Second 
Infantry,  to  which  he  was  appointed  on 
.\pril  I,  1802.  In  1797  he  was  ordered  by 
President  AA'ashington  to  expel  settlers 
from  Indian  lands  in  Tennessee,  and  made 
several  treaties  with  the  Indians  while  in 
that  country.  He  died  in  New  Orleans, 
Louisiana,  September  7,  1805. 

CAPTAIN  THOMAS  CAMPBELL,  the 
son  of  John  Campbell,  was  born  about  1750 
in  Chanceford  Township,  York  County. 
His  father  took  up  a  tract  of  land  at  an 
early  day,  situated  on  the  "Great  Road  lead- 
ing from  York  to  Nelson's.  Ferry."  He  was 
of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  and  received  the 
education  accorded  that  sturdy  race.  He 
was  a  farmer  by  occupation.  AVhen  the 
Revolutionary  struggle  began,  he  enlisted 
as  a  private  in  Captain  Michael  Doudel's 
company,  attached  to  Colonel  William 
Thompson's  Battalion  of  Riflemen,  in  July, 
1 775-  Fie  served  through  the  New  England 
campaign,  and  was  commissioned  first  lieu- 
tenant in  tlie  Fourth  Regiment  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania Line,  January  3,  1777.  He  was 
severely  wounded  at  Germantown,  was  pro- 
moted captain  January  i,  1781,  and  retired 
from  the  service  January  i,  1783.  He  w-as 
one  of  the  original  members  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Society  of  the  Cincinnati.  Captain 
Campbell  was  chosen  a  delegate  to  the 
State  Convention  to  ratify  the  Federal  Con- 
stitution in  1787;  served  as  a  member  of  the 
Pennsylvania  House  of  Representatives 
from  1797  to  1800,  and  of  the  Senate  from 
the  York  and  Adams  district  from  1805  to 
1808.  He  died  at  his  residence  in  Mona- 
ghan  Township,  York  Countv,  January  19, 
1815. 

The  First  Regiment  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Line   marched  with   Wayne   from   York  to 


the  surrender  of  Cornwallis.  This  regiment 
then  contained  about  twenty  of  the  one 
hundred  men  that  had  marched  from  York 
to  Boston  and  joined  A\'ashington  at  Cam- 
bridge in  July,  1775.  The  muster  roll  of 
this  company  will  he  found  among  the  suc- 
ceeding pages. 

PULASKI'S  LEGION  AT  YORK. 

Pulaski's  Legion,  a  bod)^  of  niounted 
lancers  and  infantry,  was  quartered  in  York 
in  IMarch  and  April,  1779,  coming  here  after 
leaving  the  winter  encampment  in  New 
Jersey.  These  troops  were  commanded  by 
Count  Cassimer  Pulaski,  a  Polish  soldier, 
wdio  led  the  insurgents  during  an  insurrec- 
tion in  Poland.  He  had  ten  years'  experi- 
ence as  an  officer  in  his  native  country 
before  he  went  to  Paris,  where,  in  the  spring 
of  1777,  he  met  Benjamin  Franklin.  Soon 
afterward  he  sailed  for  Philadelphia  and  be- 
came an  aide  on  the  staff  of  General  W'ash- 
ington,  with  the  rank  of  colonel.  The  first 
action  in  wdiich  he  took  part  was  at  Brandy- 
wine.  \A'hen  the  Continental  troops  began 
to  yield,  he  made  a  reconnoissance  with  the 
general's  jjod)^  guard  and  reported  tliat  the 
enemy  was  endeavoring  to  cut  ofT  the  line  of 
retreat.  He  was  authorized  to  collect  as 
many  of  the  scattered  troops  as  came  in  his 
way  and  employ  them  according  to  his  dis- 
cretion, which  he  did  in  a  manner  so 
prompt  as  to  eft'ect  important  aid  in  the 
retreat  of  the  army.  Four  days  later,  on  re- 
commendation of  Washington,  he  was  com- 
missioned a  brigadier-general  and  placed  in 
charge  of  the  cavalr}-.  He  took  part  in  the 
battle  of  Germantown  and  engaged  in  the 
operations  under  General  Wayne,  during 
the  winter  of  1777-8.  The  cavalry  officers 
could  not  be  reconciled  to  the  orders  of  a 
foreigner  who  could  scarcely  speak  English, 
and  whose  ideas  of  discipline  and  tactics 
dift'ered  widely  from  those  to  which  they 
had  been  accustomed,  and  these  circum- 
stances induced  Pulaski  to  resign  his  com- 
mand in  March.  1778,  and  return  to  Valley 
Forge,  wdiere  he  was  assigned  to  special 
duty.  .\t  his  suggestion,  wdiich  was 
adopted  by  Washington,  Congress,  March 
28,  1778,  authorized  the  formation  of  a 
corps,  composed  of  sixty-eight  light  horse 
and  two  hundred  foot  soldiers.  This  Legion 
was  recruited  in  Pen'nsyhania  and  Mary- 
land,  and   soon   after  took   part   in   several 


THE    RFA'OLUTIOX 


221 


actions  in  Xew  Jersey.  In  the  engagement 
with  the  enemy  at  Little  Egg  Harbor, 
Pulaski  was  surprised  by  the  British  and  in 
a  bayonet  encounter,  lost  in  killed  and 
wounded  forty  of  his  Legion. 

In  February,  1779,  Count  Pulaski 
Ordered  was  ordered  to  South  Carolina  to 
South.  join  the  arm}-  under  General  Lin- 
coln. He  rendezvoused  his 
Legion  at  York,  encamping  on  the  Public 
Common.  Count  Pulaski,  while  here,  occu- 
l)ied  quarters  on  the  west  side  of  North 
George  Street  near  Centre  Square,  and  re- 
cruited about  twenty  men  from  this  county. 
During  part  of  the  time  that  his  Legion  was 
encamped  at  York,  the  Count  was  absent. 
His  subordinate  officers  did  not  enforce 
rigid  discipline,  and  some  of  the  troops 
scoured  the  country  round  about,  foraging 
for  food  and  provisions.  This  brought  forth 
a  bitter  complaint  on  the  part  of  the  citi- 
zens of  York  and  the  surrounding  countr\'. 
Colonel  James  Smith,  then  a  delegate  in 
Congress  from  York,  wrote  a  letter  to  the 
President  of  Pennsylvania  in  which  he 
described  the  misconduct  of  Pulaski's  men. 
He  stated  that  "they  forage  indiscriminately 
and  take  whatever  they  want  from  the  poor 
terrified  inhabitants,  many  of  whom, 
strongly  impressed  by  the  terrors  of  mili- 
tary violence  in  Europe,  submit  to  the  spoil- 
ing of  their  goods  and  insult  to  their  person 
without  complaining,  while  others  resent  it 
in  open  clamor  and  complaint  and  will  soon 
probably  redress  themselves." 

President  Reed  drew  the  attention  of  the 
Board  of  War  to  the  disturbances  at  Y'ork 
and  that  body  addressed  Count  Pulaski  a 
letter,  which  in  part  reads ; 

"We  have  the  honor  to  enclose  you  a 
copy  of  our  letter  and  an  extract  of  another, 
relative  to  the  conduct  of  your  corps  in  your 
absence.  \\^e  hoped  that  all  such  grounds 
of  complaint  had  long  since  ceased.  But  as 
those  mentioned  correspond  with  former  re- 
ports we  cannot  avoid  giving  some  credit 
to  them.  The  complaints  are  of  such  a 
nature  as  to  demand  a  strict  enquiry,  at  the 
same  time  they  should  lead  you  and  your 
officers  to  maintain  a  stricter  discipline  in 
the  corps.  \Ye  do  not  mean,  however,  to 
delay  the  Legion  on  these  accounts.  Its 
services  are  wanted  at  the  southward, 
whither  we  desire  it  may  be  marched  with 
all  possible  dispatch." 


During  the  month  of  April, 
Killed  at  Pulaski  began  the  march  to 
Savannah.  South  Carolina,  arriving  at 
Charleston  in  May.  He  was  in 
active  service  in  command  of  his  troops 
until  October,  1779,  when  he  was  mortally 
wounded  during  the  siege  of  Savannah.  He 
was  taken  to  the  brig.  Wasp,  where  he  died 
as  the  vessel  was  leaving  the  harbor.  His 
remains  were  buried  at  sea.  Among  the  sol- 
diers from  Y^ork  County,  who  served  under 
Pulaski,  were  Frederick  Boyer,  1778-1783, 
resided  in  York  County,  1835,  aged  eighty- 
seven  years;  Martin  Miller,  resided  in  Y^ork 
County,  1835,  aged  seventy-one;  Edward 
Smith,  died  June  26,  1832,  in  York  County, 
aged  seventy-six  years. 

The  banner  which  belonged  to  Pulaski's 
Legion  is  now  in  the  possession  of  the 
]\Iaryland  Historical  Society,  Baltimore.  It 
was  in  that  city  that  he  recruited  his  inde- 
pendent command  to  the  number  of  300 
men,  and  on  July  29,  1778,  he  gave  a  public 
review  of  his  Legion  to  the  citizens  and 
military  authorities  of  Baltimore. 

^^'hile  recruiting  his  Legion,  Pulaski 
went  to  the  Moravian  settlement  at  Bethle- 
hem. Upon  visiting  the  Sisters'  house  he 
saw  their  beautiful  embroidery  and  ordered 
them  to  prepare  a  small  cavalry  banner  for 
his  Legion.  It  was  made  of  crimson  silk. 
Supposing  that  it  had  been  presented  to  the 
Legion  by  the  Moravian  Sisters,  the  noted 
poet,  Henry  \\'.  Longfellow,  made  the 
incident  the  subject  of  a  poem,  and  at- 
tempted to  make  it  more  efTective  by  the 
introduction  of  cowls,  altars  and  censers.  • 

ARMAND'S  LEGION  AT  YORK. 

Armand's  Legion  was  quartered  at  Y'ork 
from  December  25,  1782,  to  November, 
1783.  It  w^as  commanded  by  a  noted 
French  soldier,  who  had  served  ten  j-ears 
in  the  Guarde  du  Corps  of  Paris.  He  came 
to  America,  volunteered  in  the  cause  of  the 
Revolution,  May  10,  1777,  when  he  was 
commissioned  by  Congress  a  colonel  under 
the  name  of  Charles  Armand,  concealing  his 
rank  of  Marquis  de  la  Rouerie.  Congress 
authorized  him  to  raise  a  corps  of  French 
soldiers  in  number  not  exceeding  two  hun- 
dred. About  one-half  of  his  command,  how- 
ever, were  Americans.  Colonel  Armand 
was  a  spirited  officer  and  did  good  service 
throughout  the  war.    He  participated  in  the 


IirSTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY,    PEXXSYLVAXIA 


engagement  at  Red  Bank,  was  with  Lafay- 
ette in  New  Jersey,  and  active  in  West 
Chester  County,  New  York,  opposing  the 
forces  of  Emmerick  and  Barremore,  the  lat- 
ter of  whom  he  captured  near  Kings  Bridge, 
November  8,  1779.  In  February  of  the  fol- 
lowing year  his  command  was  incorporated 
with  Pulaski's  Legion  and  both  participated 
in  the  southern  campaign  under  Gates, 
whom  he  severely  criticized  for  his  in- 
efliciency  at  the  battle  of  Camden.  In  1781 
he  went  to  France  to  procure  clothing  and 
accoutrements  for  his  Legion,  returning  in 
time  to  take  part  in  the  battle  of  Yorktown 
and  surrender  of  Cornwallis,  in  October, 
1781. 

In  March,  1783,  while  he  was  w'ith  his 
command  at  York,  Congress  commissioned 
him  a  brigadier-general  in  obedience  to  a 
request  of  Washington.  General  Armand 
was  urbane  and  polished  in  manner,  an  elo- 
quent and  persuasive  speaker,  a  gallant 
leader  and  a  man  greatly  beloved  by  his 
men  and  his  superior  officers. 

After  the  surrender  of  Lord  Corn- 
Came  wallis  at  Yorktown,  Armand's 
to  Legion,  composed  of  about  200 
York.  Dragoons,  accompanied  Washing- 
ton's arm)^  to  the  vicinity  of  New 
York.  In  February,  1782,  Armand  was 
ordered  to  report  to  General  Greene  in  the 
Southern  Department,  and  in  December  of 
the  same  year,  he  came  from  Virginia  to 
York.  While  here,  he  met  Colonel  Thomas 
Hartley,  with  whom  part  of  his  Legion  had 
served  in  the  expedition  against  the  hostile 
Indians  in  northern  Pennsylvania  and 
southern  New  York.  Colonel  Armand  re- 
mained wath  his  Legion  for  a  period  of 
eleven  months.  Before  his  departure,  in 
November,  1783,  James  Smith,  Colonel 
Thomas  Hartley,  Archibald  McClean  and 
others,  presented  him  with  the  following  ad- 
dress : 

"Hearing  that  your  Legion  is  about  to  be 
disbanded,  and  that  you  will  soon  return  to 
your  native  country,  we,  the  inhabitants  of 
York,  in  Pennsylvania,  express  to  you  the 
high  sense  we  entertain  of  the  strict  discip- 
line, good  conduct,  and  deportment  of  the 
officers  and  soldiers  of  your  corps,  whilst 
stationed  amongst  us  for  ten  months  past. 

"We  return  to  you  our  hearty  thanks,  as 
well  for  the  service  rendered  to  America  in 
the  field,  as  for  the  attention  you  have  paid 


to  the  property  and  ci\'il  rights  of  the  peo- 
ple. Be  pleased  to  communicate  our  senti- 
ments to  ^lajor  Shaftner,  and  all  your 
worthy  officers,  and  assure  them  we  shall 
ever  hold  them  in  the  greatest  esteem. 

"We  pray  that  you  may  have  an  agree- 
able passage  across  the  ocean,  and  that  you 
may  receive  a  just  reward  for  your  illus- 
trious actions,  performed  in  support  of  lib- 
erty and  the  honor  of  the  allied  arms." 

To  these  encouraging  words  Colonel  Ar- 
mand replied : 

"I  received  your  polite  address  of  the 
1 8th,  and  from  its  impression  on  my  feel- 
ings, and  of  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the 
Legion,  I  am  truly  happy  in  giving  you  our 
united  and  most  hearty  thanks.  If  the 
Legion  has  observed  that  good  conduct, 
wdiich  merits  the  applause  you  give  it,  I 
conceive  that  in  so  doing,  they  have  only 
discharged  their  duty,  and  obeyed  punctu- 
ally the  orders  and  intentions  of  His  Excel- 
lency, General  \A'ashington,  whose  exem- 
plary virtues,  talents  and  honor,  must  have 
raised  ambition  to  some  merit  in  those,  who, 
like  the  corps  I  had  the  honor  to  command, 
placed  all  their  confidence  in  him. 

"Permit  me  to  say,  gentlemen,  that  sol- 
diers cannot  be  guilty  of  misconduct,  where 
the  inhabitants  are  kind  to  them,  also  are 
attached  to  the  cause  of  their  country,  and 
so  respectable  as  those  of  York.  I  think  it 
my  duty  to  thank  you  for  the  good  behavior 
of  the  Legion  whilst  amongst  you,  for  it 
was  encouraged  and  supported  by  your 
conduct  towards  them. 

"I  shall  only  add,  that  although  the 
greater  part  of  us  will  shortly  return  home, 
the  conclusion  of  the  war  rendering  our 
longer  stay  unnecessary,  we  shall  be  happy 
again  to  join  the  army  of  America,  if  in 
future  our  services  should  be  deemed  of 
importance." 

There  were  a  number  of  soldiers  in  York 
County  W'ho  had  served  in  Armand's  Legion 
during  the  Revolution.    Among  these  were  : 

John  Gottlieb  Alorris,  surgeon,  promoted 
from  surgeon's  mate,  died  in  York  in  1808; 
Leonard  Bamagartel,  resided  in  York 
County  in  1835;  John  Glehmer,  resided  at 
York  in  1828;  Conrad  Pudding,  died  in 
York  County  in  1828,  aged  seventy-four; 
Philip  ShafYer,  resided  in  York  County  in 
1828;  Lewis  Shelly,  died  in  York  County  in 
1825;  Conrad  Stengle,  died  at  York  before 


THE    REVOLUTIOX 


1826;  Owen  Cooley,  York,  March  25,  1777; 
John  Enrich,  York,  March  9,  1777;  Adam 
Brandliefer,  York,  February  26,  1777;  John 
Michael  Koch,  January  25,  1777,  died  in 
York  County  in  1849. 

During  the  time  that  Armand's  Legion 
was  in  York  his  men  were  quartered  in  log 
houses  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Duke  and 
Philadelphia  Streets.  One  row  extended 
westward  on  Philadelphia  and  another 
north  on  Duke  Street.  These  properties 
were  then  owned  bv  Mr.  James  Beck. 

JOHN  GOTTLIEB  MORRIS,  of  Ar- 
mand's Legion,  who  settled  as  a  physician 
in  York  after  the  Revolution,  was  born  in 
Prussia  in  the  \-illage  of  Redekin,  near 
Magdeburg,  in  1754.  He  received  a  liberal 
education  and  also  studied  medicine  and 
surgery  in  one  of  the  higher  institutions  of 
Germany.  During  the  latter  part  of  1776, 
Dr.  Morris  came  to  America,  landing  at 
Philadelphia,  where,  after  a  careful  exam- 
ination, he  was  granted  a  certificate  to  serve 
as  a  surgeon  in  the  Continental  army.  This 
certificate  was  signed  by  William  Shippen, 
\\illiam  Brown  and  other  noted  surgeons 
of  that  day.  He  was  then  a  young  man  of 
twenty-two,  and  is  said  to  have  possessed 
rare  accomplishments.  When  Armand's 
Legion  was  organized,  in  1777,  Dr.  Morris 
was  appointed  assistant  surgeon  to  this 
command.  He  accompanied  Colonel  Ar- 
mand  in  both  his  northern  and  southern 
campaigiTs.  After  the  battle  of  Camden, 
South  Carolina,  Morris  w^as  made  chief 
surgeon  of  the  Legion,  which,  in  October, 
1781,  was  present  and  took  part  in  the  bat- 
tle of  Yorktown,  \'irginia,  and  witnessed 
the  surrender  of  Cornwallis  and  his  entire 
army. 

At  the  close  of  the  war,  Surgeon  Morris 
settled  in  York  as  a  physician  and  druggist. 
In  June.  1784,  he  married  Barbara  Myers, 
of  York.  Dr.  Morris  was  one  of  the  early 
members  of  the  Society  of  Cincinnati,  com- 
posed of  commissioned  ofificers  of  the  Revo- 
lution. Charles  A.  Morris,  his  eldest  son, 
was  a  druggist  at  York  for  more  than  half 
a  century.  He  married  Cassandra,  the  sis- 
ter of  Philip  and  Samuel  Small.  At  his 
death,  he  ga\e  most  of  his  estate  to  charity 
and  benevolence.  Rev.  John  G.  Morris,  the 
second  son,  was  a  noted  Lutheran  clergy- 
man, lecturer  and  entomologist,  and  served 
as    president    of    the    ^Maryland    Historical 


Society.  He  was  married  to  Eliza,  sister  of 
Dr.  Jacob  Hay,  Sr.  He  died  at  Baltimore  in 
1895,  at  the  advanced  age  of  92  years. 
George  Morris,  the  third  son,  was  one  of  the 
early  coal  merchants  of  York,  and  died 
unmarried  many  years  earlier  than  his 
brothers. 

QUARTERMASTERS'  POSTS  IN 
YORK  COUNTY. 

During  the  year  1778-9,  when  the  Indians 
and  Tories  were  giving  trouble  along  the 
northern  and  western  frontiers,  posts  were 
established  by  authority  of  Congress  at 
Carlisle,  York,  Hanover,  and  Marsh  Creek, 
near  the  site  of  Gettysburg.  Colonel  John 
Davis  had  been  appointed  deputy  quarter- 
master-general of  the  region  west  of  the 
Susquehanna,  with  headquarters  at  Carlisle, 
which  was  the  distributing  point  of  army 
supplies  for  the  frontier.  Colonel  David 
Grier,  who  had  been  seriously  wounded  at 
the  battle  of  Paoli,  while  in  command  of  the 
Seventh  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  was  made 
quartermaster  at  York;  Captain  Alexander 
McDowell,  at  Hanover,  and  Colonel  Robert 
McPherson,  at  Marsh  Creek.  There  is  no 
complete  statement  of  the  different  pur- 
chases made  at  these  posts  during  the  y.ears 
named.  Some  of  the  original  papers  have 
been  procured,  froin  which  interesting 
facts  have  been  taken. 

On  May  14,  1778,  Captain  ^^'illiam  Nich- 
ols, assistant  quartermaster  at  York,  wrote 
to  Colonel  John  Davis,  that  he  had  sent  to 
Carlisle  two  small  teams  and  would  send 
another  in  two  daj^s.  Captain  Nichols 
states  that  he  had  already  received  $45,000 
for  the  'department  at  York.  On  June  2, 
1778,  Colonel  Grier  reported  the  following 
employes  at  his  office  at  York:  John  Mc- 
Pherson, clerk,  whose  salary  was  $60  per 
month;  Robert  Z\IcPherson,  jr.,  clerk,  $60; 
Henry  Zinn,  measurer  of  forage,  $80;  James 
Shaw  and  Patrick  JMay,  weighers  of  hay  and 
attendants  at  the  public  stables  of  the  gov- 
ernment, $80  each ;  John  Uley,  express 
rider,  $90  and  expenses ;  and  Francis  Jones, 
Ijrigade  wagonmaster,  whose  salary  is  not 
gi\en.  On  August  25.  1778,  Colonel  David 
Grier  received  $12,000  from  Colonel  Davis 
for  use  of  the  post  at  York.  On  September 
12,  1778,  John  Pollock,  of  York,  received 
1,000  shingles,  a  quantity  of  nails  and  820 


224 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


spikes  for  use  in  repairing  the  gox'ernment 
stables  at  York. 

Charles  Lukens  wrote  to  Colonel  Davis 
from  Washingtonburg  to  send  a  team  to 
York  for  oil  and  other  articles.  Captain 
Alexander  McDowell,  in  charge  of  the  post 
at  Hanover,  wrote,  on  April  30,  1779,  to 
Colonel  Davis  that  pack  horses  were 
difficult  to  procure  around  Hanover,  but 
that  he  had  purchased  nine.  Captain  Mc- 
Dowell also  states  in  his  letter  that  "the 
horses  that  were  brought  for  the  army 
camps  to  winter  at  Hanover  were  looking 
well  and  fit  for  service.  Forage  is  very 
scarce.  Oats  and  spelts  can  hardly  be 
bought  at  any  price,  owing  to  a  frost  during 
the  summer.  Rye  is  scarce  and  sold  at  the 
rate  of  five  pounds  per  bushel.  Oats  or 
spelts  are  worth  at  least  $6  per  bushel  in 
Continental  money."  He  also  asked  Colo- 
nel Davis  to  send  him  $10,000  from  Carlisle 
if  Davis  had  "plent}-  of  money  on  hand." 

On  May  i,  1779.  McDowell  wrote  that 
he  could  procure  only  one  team  to  go  to 
Fort  Pitt,  as  "all  the  farmers  are  busy  with 
their  summer  crops,  as  the  frost  had  caused 
the  destruction  of  the  previous  crops."  On 
May  17,  Colonel  Davis  sent  six  teams  to 
Colonel  McPherson  to  carry  eighty-five  bar- 
rels of  beef  and  pork  to  Fort  Pitt.  On  May 
28,  Colonel  Davis  ordered  Colonel  Grier  to 
send  from  York  to  the  American  camp  all 
the  horses,  also  the  portmanteaus  and  pack 
saddles.  Colonel  Grier  was  also  to  send 
wagons  to  Carlisle  to  convey  military  stores 
from  that  post  to  Pittsburg.  On  the  same 
day.  Colonel  Grier  received  $12,000  for  use 
at  his  post. 

On  June  4,  1779,  Charles  Lukens  wrote 
from  Washingtonburg  to  Colonel  Davis  to 
procure  a  team  of  four  horses  and  a  wagon, 
and  send  it  to  Spring  Forge,  in  York 
County,,  to  purchase  "bar  iron  for  the  use 
of  the  United  States."  This  bar  iron  was 
to  be  hauled  to  Philadelphia.  On  July  26, 
he  ordered  Colonel  Davis  to  send  another 
team  to  Spring  Forge  to  procure  bar  iron 
for  the  government.  On  August  7,  Captain 
McDowell  asked  the  quartermasters'  de- 
partment at  Carlisle  to  send  him  $10,000 
for  use  at  the  post  at  Hanover.  Some  time 
before,  McDowell  had  sent  to  Carlisle  for 
the  army,  216  tar  pots  for  wagons,  104 
army  canteens,  109  pounds  of  lashing  rope. 
August  12,  Captain  McDowell    received    a 


communication  from  the  Board  of  Treasury 
of  the  United  States,  asking  him  to  forward 
all  vouchers  he  received  for  furnishing 
forage  and  wood  for  the  use  of  Burgo)ne's 
army,  then  numbering  about  4,000  men, 
who  were  marched  through  Hanover  and 
camped  there  for  the  night,  on  their  way  to 
Charlottesville,  Virginia,  as  prisoners  of 
war,  during  the  latter  part  of  December, 
177S. 

Colonel  Grier  s  report  to  the  government 
for  the  month  of  August,  1779,  showed  that 
he  had  expended  during  that  month,  the 
sum  of  2,634  pounds  in  Continental  money : 
to  Francis  Jones,  wagonmaster  of  a  brigade, 
1,237  pounds;  to  George  Messencope, 
wagonmaster,  209  pounds ;  George  Moul, 
for  smith  work,  215  pounds;  John  McAllis- 
ter, for  supplies,  151  pounds;  Thomas 
White,  wagonmaster,  iii  pounds;  and  to 
Jacob  Probst,  for  ropes,  75  pounds.  The 
balance  was  paid  in  small  amounts  to  diiTer- 
ent  persons  for  various  purposes. 

The  official  report  for  the  month  of  Au- 
gust, shows  that  Captain  McDowell  ex- 
pended at  his  post  at  Hanover,  the  sum  of 
1,171  pounds,  which  he  estimated  an  equiva- 
lent of  $3,124,  showing  that  Continental 
money  then  was  worth  about  thirty  cents 
on  the  dollar  in  specie.  Among  the  items 
were  the  following:  Colonel  Richard  McAl- 
lister, for  seven  quires  of  paper,  15  pounds 
or  $42;  John  Hinkel,  for  smith  work,  100 
pounds;  William  Kitt  (Gitt),  for  riding 
express  and  expenses,  11  pounds;  George 
Boyer,  for  296  pounds  of  beef,  75  pounds. 

September  5,  1779,  John  McPherson, 
clerk  of  the  post  at  York,  reported  that  he 
had  sent  to  the  quartermasters'  department 
at  Carlisle,  fifty-one  pounds  of  lashing  rope, 
for  which  he  paid  fifteen  shillings  a  pound, 
and  100  halter  ropes,  which  cost  seven  shil- 
lings and  six  pence  each.  He  thought  these 
prices  were  high  for  the  articles  named,  but 
stated  that  more  ropes  and  halters  could  be 
obtained  at  York  if  needed,  at  these  prices. 

Quartermaster  Grier,  at  York,  November 
I,  reported  the  following  stores  on  hand:  3 
wagons,  9  reams  of  writing  paper,  50  blank 
books,  250  yards  of  linen,  50  bags,  159  can- 
teens, 2  saddles,  and  4  horses.  In  a  letter 
to  the  quartermaster-general  at  Carlisle, 
Colonel  Grier  wrote  that  he  needed  for 
use  at  his  post  in  York,  a  good  supply  of 
money  for  necessary  expenditures.     He  fur- 


COL.  THOMAS  HARTLEY  AND  WIFE 


THE  MOKAVL\N  PARSONAGE 


THE    REVOLUTION 


225 


ther  stated  that  he  would  be  i-equired  to 
purchase  a  large  amount  of  forage  to  keep 
some  cattle  during  the  winter  belonging  to 
the  government. 

Charles  AlcClure,  from  tlie  post  at  Car- 
lisle, ordered  two  wagons  to  go  to  Ken- 
nedy's mill,  in  York  County,  now  near  the 
site  of  Gettysburg,  for  the  purpose  of  con- 
veying flour  to  Carlisle,  and  corn  to  ^lajor 
Smith's  mill.  In  Xo\ember,  1779,  Colonel 
Grier  expended  at  his  post  in  York,  the  sum 
of  517  pounds. 

April  7,  1780,  four  wagons  were  sent  from 
the  post  at  Carlisle  to  procure,  for  the  de- 
partment, thirty-one  barrels  of  flour  at 
DeardorfT's  mill,  in  York  County,  doubtless 
a  mill  with  that  name  near  York  Springs. 
May  24,  Colonel  Henry  ]\Iiller,  then  serving 
as  sheriff  of  York  County,  wrote  to  the 
quartermaster  at  Carlisle  that  the  arrival 
of  twelve  merchant  vessels  at  Baltimore 
caused  a  decline  in  the  prices  of  all  merchan- 
dise in  this  region.  In  this  letter  he  stated 
that  much  depended  upon  the  results  in  the 
south,  to  which  region  the  British  army  had 
then  gone,  the  seat  of  war  having  been 
transferred  to  South  Carolina  and  Georgia. 
The  troubles  with  the  Indians  along  the 
frontier  had  been  brought  to  an  end.  In  the 
summer  of  1782,  the  post  at  York  was  dis- 
continued. Besides  the  quartermaster- 
general,  Colonel  David  Grier,  and  his  assist- 
ant, John  McPherson,  the  department  at 
York  had  in  its  employ  two  clerks,  two  men 
in  charge  of  the  stables,  and  four  persons 
in  the  forage  department. 

John  McAllister,  acting  commissary  of 
issues  at  York,  in  June,  1779,  was  charged 
with  malpractice  and  peculation  in  office 
for  having  misused  provisions  belonging  to 
the  government.  He  was  accused  by  Jacob 
Eichelberger  and  Major  David  Jameson,  of 
York,  with  having  fed  hogs  with  flour  and 
good  biscuit  "at  a  time  when  soldiers  that 
were  on  the  march  to  the  army  were  in  the 
greatest  need  of  flour  for  rations."  McAl- 
lister admitted  part  of  the  accusation  and 
acknowledged  that  he  had  mixed  water  with 
W'hiskey,  a  part  of  the  government  stores 
in  his  possession. 

Owing  to  the-se  accusations,  the  question 
arose  as  to  continuing  the  commissary  de- 
partment at  York,  whereupon  Jameson  and 
Eichelberger  asserted  that  York  "was  a 
great  thoroughfare  for  troops,  particularly 


militia  in  marching  from  the  southward  to 
the  main  army."  They  urged  that  another 
commissary  be  appointed  instead  of  McAl- 
lister, for  "it  was  thought  proper  when 
Congress  was  here  during  the  winter  of 
1777-78  to  have  a  commissary  of  purchases, 
another  of  issues,  a  quartermaster,  town 
major  and  a  physician,  wdiich  officers  have 
since  been  continued." 

McAllister  appeared  in  his  defence  before 
the  Supreme  Executive  Council  at  Phila- 
delphia, when  only  part  of  the  accusations 
were  pro\en.  He  remained  in  office  a  short 
time  and  was  then  removed. 

Robert  Erwin,  who.  in  1780,  had  been 
sent  by  William  Buchanan,  commissary- 
general  of  purchases,  to  take  charge  of  the 
post  at  Hanover,  succeeded  in  the  purchase 
of  a  large  amount  of  supplies  in  that  region. 
In  April,  1780,  he  had  on  hand  4,500  pounds 
of  bacon,  4,500  pounds  of  pork,  10,000 
pounds  of  flour,  and  400  gallons  of  whiskey 
and  an  amount  of  forage  which  he  had  pur- 
chased for  the  government. 


CHAPTER  XVI 

REVOLUTION— Continued. 

British  and  Hessian  Prisoners — The  Re- 
turn of  the  Prisoners — Camp  Security — 
Sergeant  Lamb's  Story — Baron  Riedesel 
— A  Heroine  of  the  Revolution — Dr. 
John  Connolly. 

During  the  Revolution  the  British  and 
Hessian  prisoners  were  sent  to  the  interior 
of  the  country,  a  long  distance  from  the 
scene  of  war.  This  was  done  by  order  of 
Congress  so  that  there  might  be  no  danger 
that  these  prisoners  would  be  set  free  by 
raids  from  the  British  army.  Lancaster, 
York,  Reading,  Lebanon,  Carlisle,  Penn- 
sylvania; Frederick,  Maryland;  Winchester 
and  Charlottesville,  Virginia,  were  places 
where  large  detachments  of  British  and 
Hessian  prisoners  were  kept  for  several 
months  and  some  of  them  for  two  or  three 
years.  Barracks  were  erected  in  all  of  these 
towns.  They  were  used  as  places  of  con- 
finement and  were  carefully  guarded  by  the 
local  militia.  Officers  were  frequently  cjuar- 
tered  in  the  county  jails  and  other  public 
and  private  buildings.  The  York  County 
jail,  then  situated  at  the  northeast  corner  of 
George  and  King  Streets,  contained  British 


15 


226 


HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUX'i'Y,    PEXXSYLVAXIA 


prisoners,  generally  officers,  a  large  part  of 
the  time  from  1776  to  1780.  Temporary 
barracks  \\ere  erected  on  the  public  com- 
mon and  private  soldiers  were  confined 
therein,  during  the  early  part  of  the  war. 
The  place  of  imprisonment  best  known  to 
history  in  York  County  was  situated  in  the 
northwest  corner  of  \\'indsor  Township, 
near  the  \illage  of  Longstown.  At  this 
place  a  large  number  of  prisoners,  part  of 
Burgoyne's  army  and  other  soldiers  cap- 
tured in  the  south,  were  imprisoned  for 
nearly  two  years,  during  the  latter  part  of 
the  Revolution.  In  1781,  a  contagious 
fever  broke  out  in  camp,  of  which  a  large 
number  of  prisoners  died. 

The  first  prisoners  brought  to  York  ar- 
rived in  March  and  April,  1776.  During  the 
summer  of  1775,  General  Montgomery,  by 
authority  of  Congress,  led  an  expedition  for 
the  capture  of  Canada.  It  was  an  ill-fated 
campaign  for  this  gallant  soldier  of  the 
Revolution  lost  his  life  in  an  engagement 
with  the  enemy  in  front  of  Quebec. 

In  the  engagement  at  St.  Johns  and 
Chambley,  in  the  vicinity  of  Quebec,  about 
400  British  soldiers  ^\•ere  captured.  They 
belonged  to  the  vSeventh  Royal  Fusileers 
and  the  Twenty-Sixth  Regulars,  both 
famous  commands  which  had  taken  part  in 
several  engagements  in  Europe.  When 
Congress  heard  of  these  captured  officers 
and  men.  it  ordered  that  they  be  sent  to 
Lancaster.  The  detachment  from  the 
Seventh  Fusileers  reached  Lancaster,  De- 
cember 9,  1775,  and  the  prisoners  of  the 
Twenty-Sixth  Regiment  some  time  later. 
Barracks  had  already  been  erected  in  that 
town  and  the  prisoners  placed  therein. 
Some  of  the-  officers  were  quartered  in 
private  houses  under  guard.  Strange  as  it 
may  seem,  the  wixes  and  children  of  most 
of  the  officers  and  some  of  the  men,  accom- 
panied the  army  to  Canada  and  were  also 
captured  and  brought  to  Lancaster.  There 
were  66  women  and  125  children  with  the 
prisoners,  during  the  early  part  of  1776. 
Early  in  March,  1776,  Congress  ordered 
that  one-half  the  prisoners  from  the 
Seventh  Regiment  be  removed  to  \"ork  and 
the  rest  to  Carlisle. 

Among    the     officers     taken     to 

Andre        Carlisle     was     the     unfortunate 

at  Major  .\ndre,  then  a  lieutenant. 

Carlisle.      \\ho      had      been      captured      in 


Canada,  .\fter  his  release  he  returned 
to  the  British  arm\'  and  was  recap- 
tured near  Tarrytown  during  his  alliance 
\\ith  the  traitor,  Benedict  Arnold.  He  was 
then  executed  as  a  spy.  Andre  was  im- 
prisoned for  a  considerable  time  at  both 
Lancaster  and  Carlisle.  In  March,  1776, 
when  the  officers  and  men  of  the  Seventh 
Regiment  were  ordered  to  York,  there 
\\ere  a  few  cases  of  smallpox  here.  When 
the}-  heard  this  news,  the  officers  objected 
to  coming,  but  some  of  them  were  finally 
brought  to  York.  When  it  was  discovered 
that  smallpox  did  not  prevail  to  an  alarming 
extent.  Congress  ordered  that  one-half  the 
British  officers  belonging  to  the  Twenty- 
Sixth  Regiment  should  be  removed  to  York 
and  the  rest  to  Carlisle. 

Because  the  conduct  of  these 
First  officers  at  Lancaster  had  been 
Prisoners  reprehensible,  they  were  re- 
in York.  quired  to  cross  the  Susque- 
hanna and  they  remained  in 
York  as  prisoners  of  war  for  six  or  eight 
months,  till  they  were  exchanged.  A  com- 
plete list  of  these  officers  cannot  be  given. 
Among  the  names  revealed  are  the  follow- 
ing: Captains  John  Strong,  James  Living- 
stone, and  Andrew  Gordon ;  Lieutenants 
Laurence  Dulhanty.  Edward  Thompson. 
Don  McDonall  and  Edward  P.  Wellington  ; 
Ensigns  Robert  Thomas  and  James  Gor- 
don; Captains  Daniel  Robertson,  of  the 
Royal  Highland  Emigrant  Regiment,  and 
Robert  Chase,  of  the  navy. 

In  July,  1776,  a  petition  signed  by  nearh' 
all  the  above-named  officers  was  sent  to 
John  Hancock,  then  President  of  Congress 
at  Philadelphia.  In  this  petition  they  com- 
plained of  ill-treatment  and  dissatisfaction 
because  they  had  been  separated  from  their 
men,  who  were  left  at  Lancaster.  They 
further  stated  that  they  had  signed  a  parole 
which  gave  them  privileges  usually  ac- 
corded to  all  officers  who  were  prisoners  of 
war.  It  seems,  however,  that  they  were 
confined  to  their  rooms  at  night  and  this 
was  the  main  cause  of  their  complaint. 
Their  servants  were  also  taken  from  them 
by  order  of  Congress.  They  asserted  that 
the  local  Committee  of  Safety  was  preju- 
diced against  them.  They  requested  that 
they  be  treated  as  gentlemen  and  given  the 
freedom  usually  accorded  to  prisoners  who 
had  signed  a  ]:)arole.     They  were  quartered 


'I'HH    RK\'ULL'TIOX 


in  taverns  and  private  houses  and  if  the  re- 
strictions as  to  their  fnovements  be  con- 
tinued, tliey  preferred  to  be  imprisoned  in 
the  county  jail.  'IMie  real  cause,  however, 
that  they  were  not  allowed  to  move  about 
the  town  during  the  night  was  that  some 
British  prisoners  at  Lebanon  had  escaped 
in  the  darkness  of  the  night.  The  connnit- 
tee  at  York  determined  to  keep  a  close 
watch  over  these  officers  so  that  no  oppor- 
tunities were  afforded  them  to  escape,  and 
their  requirements  were  enforced  until  the 
officers  were  exchanged. 

BRITISH  AND  HESSIAN  PRISONERS. 

The  surrender  of  Burgoyne  to  Gates  at 
Saratoga,  October  i8,  1777,  placed  in  the 
hands  of  Congress,  then  in  session  at  York, 
the  disposition  of  nearly  6,000  prisoners  of 
war.  Sir  John  Burgoyne,  the  famous 
British  general,  with  a  well-equipped  army, 
had  passed  up  Lake  Champlain  from 
Canada  and  down  the  Hudson,  intentling  to 
join  Sir  Henrj'  Clinton  at  New  York  City. 
After  two  unsuccessful  attacks  upon  the 
American  army,  under  General  Gates,  he 
fell  back  to  Saratoga,  where  he  surrendered 
his  entire  army,  including  his  two  major- 
generals,  \\'illiam  Phillips  and  Baron  Rie- 
desel.  The  former  had  commanded  the 
British  troops  comprising  the  right  of  Bur- 
goyne's  army,  and  the  latter  the  German 
troops  on  the  left.  An  official  report  states 
that  5,800  troops  surrendered  at  Saratoga, 
of  whom  about  2.400  were  Germans  and  the 
balance  British.  According  to  the  terms  of 
the  surrender,  known  in  English  history  as 
the  "Convention  of  Saratoga,"'  the  British 
and  Hessian  prisoners  were  to  be  marched 
to  Boston  and  from  that  port  sent  to  Eng- 
land. The  British  forces  were  placed  under 
command  of  Phillips  and  the  Germans 
under  Riedesel,  while  the  entire  army  on 
this  march  was  guarded  by  two  brigades  of 
American  troops.  If  any  of  these  prisoners 
desired  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the 
American  government,  they  were  permitted 
to  desert.  About  100  Germans  and  nearly 
the  same  number  of  British  took  advantage 
of  this  opportunity  before  they  reached 
Boston.  .\s  the  prisoners  expected  soon  to 
l)e  released,  strict  discipline  was  enforced 
and  the  best  of  decorum  displayed  while  on 
this  march. 

W'lien    these    prisoners    of    war    reached 


Boston,  the  Hessian  troops  were  quartered 
on  Winter  Hill,  near  Cambridge,  in  bar- 
racks, which  had  been  erected  by  the 
American  troops  during  the  siege  of  Bos- 
ton. The  British  troops  were  given  rude 
quarters  on  Prospect  Hill,  just  outside  of 
Cambridge.  The  officers,  who  had  signed 
a  strict  parole,  were  treated  little  better 
than  the  private  soldiers.  They  were  per- 
mitted to  find  quarters  in  the  small  towns 
and  villages  nearby.  The  captured  army 
was  supplied  with  provisions  and  fuel  that 
were  paid  for  by  General  Heath,  the  Ameri- 
can commander  at  Boston,  with  Continental 
money,  and  Congress  insisted  that  Bur- 
goyne should  make  his  repayment  dollar  for 
dollar  in  British  gold,  worth  three  times  as 
much.  By  the  terms  of  the  surrender,  Bur- 
go)ne's  troops  were  to  receive  pay  from  the 
English  government  and  be  supplied  with 
provisions  paid  for  by  authority  of  Bur- 
goyne himself.  The  Continental  money  at 
this  time  being  worth  only  thirty  cents  on 
the  dollar,  a  controversy  arose  about  the 
decision  of  Congress  requiring  Burgoyne  to 
pay  this  obligation  in  gold  coin.  Even  Gen- 
eral Heath,  in  a  letter  to  ^^'ashington. 
stated.  "What  an  opinion  must  General 
Burgoyne  have  of  the  authority  of  these 
States  to  suppose  that  his  money  would 
be  received  at  any  higher  rate  than  our 
own.'" 

Congress,  anxious  to  impose  conditions 
not  likely  to  be  fulfilled,  demanded  that 
General  Burgoyne  should  make  out  a  de- 
scriptive list  of  all  the  officers  and  soldiers 
in  his  army,  in  order  that  if  any  of  them 
should  thereafter  be  found  serving  against 
the  United  States  they  might  be  punished 
accordingly.  As  no  such  provision  was  con- 
tained in  the  convention,  upon  the  faith  of 
which  Burgoyne  had  surrendered,  he 
naturally  regarded  the  demand  as  insulting, 
and  at  first  refused  to  comply  with  it.  He 
afterwards  yielded  the  point,  in  his  eager- 
ness to  liberate  his  soldiers:  but  meanwhile, 
in  a  letter  to  Gates  at  Albany,  he  had  in- 
cautiously said,  "The  public  faith  is 
broken."  and  this  remark,  coming  to  the 
ears  of  Congress,  was  immediately  laid  hold 
of  as  a  pretext  for  repudiating  the  conven- 
tion altogether.  It  was  argued  that  Bur- 
goyne had  charged  the  United  States  with 
bad  faith,  in  order  to  have  an  excuse  for 
repudiating  the  convention  on  his  own  part. 


228 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY,   PEXXSYLVANIA 


On  the  Sth  of  January,  Congress  accord- 
ingly resolved,  "that  the  embarkation  of 
Lieutenant-General  Burgoyne  and  the 
troops  under  his  command  be  suspended 
until  a  distinct  and  explicit  ratification  of 
the  Convention  of  Saratoga  shall  be  prop- 
erly notified  by  the  court  of  Great  Britain 
to  Congress."  As  the  British  government 
could  not  give  the  required  ratification 
without  implicitly  recognizing"  the  inde- 
pendence of  the  United  States,  no  further 
steps  were  taken  in  the  matter,  the  "public 
faith"  really  was  broken  and  the  captured 
army  was  never  sent  home.  By  the  end  of 
the  year  1777,  about  400  British  prisoners 
on  Prospect  Hill  had  deserted,  but  ac- 
cording to  records  only  20  Germans  es- 
caped. 

In  March,  1778,  General  Bur- 
Burgoyne  goyne,  on  account  of  ill  health. 
Released,      was  permitted  by  Congress  to 

return  to  England.  In  order  to 
secure  his  release  he  was  required  to  make 
a  deposit  of  $40,000  in  gold  or  silver,  and 
this  money  was  used  for  buying  food  and 
supplies,  to  be  procured  in  Rhode  Island, 
for  the  prisoners.  After  his  capture  and 
release,  he  changed  his  sentiments  toward 
the  United  States.  While  still  a  prisoner  on 
parole  he  entered  the  British  parliament 
and  became  conspicuous  among  the  de- 
fenders of  the  American  cause. 

Meanwhile,  a  fleet  of  vessels  arrived  at 
Newport  from  England  for  the  purpose  of 
transporting  the  troops  to  their  native 
country,  but  the  fleet  had  to  return  without 
them.  Early  in  April  a  number  of  war 
vessels  appeared  ofi^  the  coast  of  Boston, 
and  as  General  Heath  feared  an  attack  from 
the  enemy,  he  had  the  British  troops 
removed  from  Prospect  Hill,  fiftj^-five  miles 
northwest  to  the  village  of  Rutland,  near 
the  present  city  of  Worcester.  On  account 
of  the  difficulty  of  obtaining  provisions  for 
these  prisoners,  a  long  discussion  arose  in 
Congress,  still  in  session  at  York,  as  to 
what  disposition  should  be  made  of  them. 
^Vhile  this  discussion  was  in  progress,  the 
barracks  at  York  and  Lancaster,  in  Penn- 
sylvania, were  mentioned  as  suitable  places 
to  quarter  them.  It  was  finally  decided  that 
the  British  and  Hessians  should  be  removed 
to  Charlottesville,  Virginia,  where  the 
troops  could  be  more  readily  supplied  with 
provisions  than  in  Alassachusetts. 


.Vbout  November  i.  General 
Prisoners     Heath     gave    orders     that     the 

Sent  British  troops  at  Rutland  under 

South.  command  of  General  Phillips 
should  march  in  three  di\-isions 
to  the  south.  The  first  division  started  No- 
Acmber  10,  and  the  others  in  two  successive 
days,  imder  guard  of  Continental  troops 
and  Massachusetts  militia.  Before  the 
British  had  left  Rutland,  they  were  paid  in 
coin  received  from  Sir  Henry  Clinton  at 
New  York. 

The  German  troops  at  Cambridge,  under 
an  American  guard,  also  began  the  march 
in  three  divisions  on  November  10,  in  com- 
mand of  Baron  Riedesel,  it  being  arranged 
that  one  di\ision  was  always  one  day  in 
advance  of  the  other.  Before  leaving  Mas- 
sachusetts, all  the  officers  had  to  sign  a 
strict  parole  not  to  desert  on  the  march. 
As  many  of  the  British  and  Hessian  officers 
and  some  of  the  private  soldiers  had  their 
wives  and  children  with  them,  when  they 
were  captured  at  Saratoga,  General  Wash- 
ington ordered  that  wagons  be  provided  for 
transporting  the  women  and  children  to 
Virginia.  The  Baroness  Riedesel  was  ac- 
companied by  three  little  children,  and  her 
diary  describing  this  trip  has  been  pub- 
lished in  the  German  and  English  lan- 
guages. 

The  German  troops  had  not  received 
money  to  support  them  on  the  march  before 
leaving  Boston  and  no  pay  was  sent  them 
from  Sir  Henry  Clinton.  In  order  to 
remedy  the  difiiculty.  Baron  Riedesel  re- 
turned to  Boston,  where  he  secured  $70,000 
in  paper  money  on  his  own  responsibility, 
to  aid  in  moving  his  troops. 

The  British  troops  passed  through  Mas- 
sachusetts and  Connecticut  to  Fishkill  on 
the  Hudson.  In  a  letter  written  December 
10,  at  Sherwood's  Ferry,  on  the  banks  of 
the  Delaware,  Lieutenant  Anbury  wrote : 

"General  \^^ashington  was  not  without 
apprehension  that  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  then 
at  New  York,  would  make  eft'orts  to  retake 
us,  either  by  an  expedition  up  the  North 
River,  or  our  march  through  the  Jerseys, 
and  therefore  took  every  precaution  to 
frustrate  any  plan  that  might  be  concerted, 
for  upon  the  arrival  of  our  army  at  Fishkill, 
General  ^^'ashington  moved  his  army  into 
the  middle  of  the  Jerseys  and  detached  a 
considerable  l)ody  of  troops  to  escort  us,  so 


THE    RK^'OT.UTI^)X 


229 


\er\-  ai)[)rchcnsive  was  he  of  a  rescue,  that 
to  each  brigade  of  otirs  they  had  a  brigade 
of  armed  men,  who  marched  the  men  in 
close  columns.  As  to  the  officers  they  paid 
little  attention,  as  we  had  signed  a  very 
strict  parole,  previous  to  our  leaving  New 
England.  Now  we  ]ia\-e  passed  the  Dela- 
ware, the  Pennsylvania  militia  are  to  guard 
us  and  the  brigades  that  escorted  us  through 
Xew  York  and  the  Jerseys  return  to  Wash- 
ington's army."  \\'hen  the  British  prison- 
ers had  reached  Sussex  in  crossing  the 
state  of  Xew  Jersey,  Sir  Henry  Clinton  sent 
out  a  paymaster  who  paid  off  the  troops  in 
British  coin. 

The  three  divisions  of  German  troops 
under  Baron  Riedesel  also  crossed  the  Hud- 
son at  Fishkill  a  few  days  after  the  British 
had  passed  over.  .\t  this  place,  ^\'ashing"- 
ton  paid  them  the  compliment  of  his  pres- 
ence. He  also  gave  them  a  strong  guard 
lest  Clinton  should  carry  out  his  threat  of 
releasing  them  by  force. 

Lieutenant  Anl^ury  made  the 
Arrive  at  following  entry  in  his  journal 
Lancaster,     after    arri\-ing    at     Lancaster: 

"In  our  \\a\-  hither,  we  crossed 
the  Schuylkill,  o\er  the  Ijridge  built  by  Gen- 
eral Washington's  army,  when  they  were 
encamped  at  Valley  Forge.  I  imagine  it 
was  the  intention  of  the  Americans  that  this 
bridge  should  remain  as  a  triumphal  me- 
mento, for  in  the  centre  of  every  arch  is 
engraxed  in  the  wood,  the  names  of  the 
principal  generals  in  their  country  and  in 
the  midde  arch  was  General  A\'ashington's 
with  the  date  of  the  year  the  Ijridge  Avas 
erected.  This  bridge  was  built  to  preserve 
a  communication  and  to  favor  a  retreat  in 
case  they  were  compelled  to  quit  their  en- 
campment. Our  troops  slept  in  the  huts  at 
Valley  Forge  which  had  been  constructed 
by  the  Americans." 

Lancaster  at  this  time  was  the  largest 
inland  town  in  -\merica,  containing  a  popu- 
lation of  nearly  4000.  The  inhabitants 
were  composed  of  German  and  Scotch- 
Irish.  Most  of  the  houses  had  an  elevation 
before  the  door  and  they  were  entered  1)\' 
ascending  high  steps  from  the  street,  re- 
sembling a  small  balcony  witli  benches  on 
both  sides  where  the  inhabitants  sat  and 
took  in  the  fresh  air  and  viewed  the  peo])Ie 
passing.  The  town  had  consideral)le  trade 
with  Pliiladelphia  and  Xew  York.     Among 


its  popidalion  \vere  a  large  number  of  me- 
chanics. There  were  three  or  four  churches, 
and  the  county  court  house  in  Centre 
Square  in  \vhich  the  Pennsylvania  Legis- 
lature had  held  its  sessions  when  driven 
out  of  Philadelphia  the  year  before.  Con- 
gress had  convened  in  this  building  one  day 
in  September,  1777,  and  then  adjoiu-ned  to 
York.  The  largest  pipe  organ  in  .\merica, 
which  hatl  been  made  at  the  town  of  Lititz, 
was  then  in  use  in  the  First  Lutheran 
Church  of  Lancaster.  Some  of  the  officers 
who  went  to  see  this  wonderful  piece  of 
.uechanism  sent  descriptions  of  it  to  then- 
homes.  The  manufacturer  had  made  every 
part  of  the  organ  with  his  own  hands.  One 
of  the  diaries  states : 

"The  organ  had  not  only  everv  pipe  and 
stop  that  is  in  most  others,  but  it  has  many 
pipes  to  swell  the  base  which  are  of  an 
amazing  circumference,  and  they  are  played 
upon  by  the  feet,  there  being  a  row  of 
wooden  kevs  that  the  performer  treads  on." 

After  bivouacking  for  the  night  around 
the  borough  of  Lancaster,  the  three 
divisions  of  the  British  troops,  com- 
manded by  General  William  Phillips 
and  tinder  a  guard  of  several  regi- 
ments of  Pennsylvania  militia,  and  a 
detachment  of  the  Continental  army,  the 
march  xvas  begun  to  the  Susquehanna  ri\-er, 
crossing  at  the  present  sites  of  Columbia 
and  \\'rightsville.  A  regiment  of  the  York 
County  militia  joined  the  guard  at  Wright's 
Ferry,  and  Colonel  Josepli  Jeffries,  wagon 
master  for  York  County,  furnished  one  htin- 
dred  wagons  and  teams  with  which  he  con- 
veyed into  Virginia  the  women  and  children 
and  the  baggage  belonging  to  both  the  Brit- 
ish and  German  prisoners.  Many  of  these 
wagons  were  afterward  pressed  into  service 
by  the  state  of  Virginia.  The  advance 
reached  York  on  December  16.  Lieutenant 
.\nbury  made  the  following  entry  in  refer- 
ence to  York : 

"After  we  crossed  the  Suscpie- 
Reach  hanna.  \\e  arrived  at  York,  which 
York,  was  sometime  the  seat  of  Congress. 
This  is  reckoned  the  second  inland 
town  in  America:  it  is  not  nearly  so  large  as 
Lancaster,  but  much  pleasanter.  being  sit- 
uated on  the  Codorus  creek,  a  pretty  stream 
which  falls  into  the  Sus<|uehanna.  This 
town  contains  between  two  and  three  thou- 
sand   inhabitants,    chiefl\'    Germans,    inter- 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUXTY,   PEXXSYL\'AXIA 


mixed  \\'ith  Scotcli-Irish.  Here  was  for- 
merly more  trade  than  in  Lancaster,  and 
notwithstanding  the  troul)les,  it  has  still 
more  the  appearance  of  it.  As  our  division 
came  into  tlie  town  at  four  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon,  and  marched  the  next  morning,  I 
had  but  little  time  to  make  any  particular 
observations;  but  in  walking  about  I  saw 
the  Court  House  and  a  few  churches,  which 
are  very  neat  brick  buildings,  and  I  re- 
marked the  houses  were  much  better  built 
and  with  more  regularity  than  at  Lancaster. 
Of  the  two,  though  York  is  considerably 
less  than  the  other,  I  should  give  it  the 
preference  for  a  place  of  residence." 

Along  the  entire  line  of  march 
Hessians     from  Massachusetts  to  Virginia 
Desert.      the    guard    of   American    troops 
made  no  special  efforts  to  pie- 
vent  desertions  among  the  prisoners.     Lieu- 
tenant Anbury  says : 

"It  was  with  a  view  and  a  hope  that  the 
men  would  desert,  that  Congress  marched 
us  at  this  inclement  season :  numbers  have 
answered  their  wishes,  especially  the  Ger- 
mans, who  seeing  in  what  a  comfortable 
manner  their  countrymen  live,  left  us  in 
great  numbers,  as  we  marched  through 
X^ew  A'ork,  the  Jerseys  and  Pennsylvania. 
Among  the  number  of  deserters  is  my  ser- 
vant, who,  as  we  left  Lancaster,  ran  from 
me  WMth  my  horse,  portmanteau  and  every- 
thing he  could  take  with  him.  I  did  not 
miss  him  till  night,  as  I  concluded  he  was 
with  the  baggage  wagons.  The  next  morn- 
ing I  obtained  permission  from  the  officer 
that  escorted  us,  to  return  in  pursuit  of 
him." 

Rev.  John  Roth,  pastor  of  the  ^Moravian 
church  at  York,  recorded  in  his  diary : 

"Dec.  i6. — To-night  a  party  of  the  Con- 
vention troops,  the  Hessians  and  others  cap- 
tured at  Saratoga  by  Gates,  arrived  here 
from  New  England  on  way  to  Virginia. 

"Dec.  22. — The  Convention  troops  which 
arrived  here  on  the  i6th  and  19th  inst.  left 
for  the  south  (Virginia). 

"Dec.  24. — Numbers  of  Convention  troops 
are  deserting  on  account  of  their  being 
badly  treated  by  their  officers.  Some  of 
them  attended  our  services  and  were  atten- 
tive and  earnest." 

The  first  division  of  British  troops  num- 
bering 781,  arrived  in  York,  December  16; 
the  second  division,  numbering  873,  on  the 


following  da_\-:  and  the  third  division,  a  body 
of  923,  on  the  evening  of  December  19. 
There  were  in  all  2577  British  soldiers. 

The  Germans  arrived  in  York  in  three 
di\isions.  The  first  came  on  December  22, 
and  numbered  947.  With  this  body  were 
a  large  number  of  women  and  children, 
transported  on  wagons.  The  last  two 
divisions  of  German  troops  passed  through 
York,  December  23  and  24,  and  numbered 
935.  There  were  in  all  4459  British  and 
Hessian  officers  and  men  on  this  famous 
march,  as  prisoners  of  war,  to  Virginia. 

After    leaving    York,    the    pris- 

Pass  oners  w-ere  marched  in  brigades 

Through  a  distance  of  fifteen  to  twenty 
Hanover,  miles  a  day.  There  is  a  well- 
founded  tradition  that  the  dif- 
ferent brigades  bivouacked  on  successive 
nights  along  a  hillside  near  Alenges'  ]\Iills 
in  Heidelberg  township,  and  proceeded  the 
next  day  through  Hanover,  halting  again 
for  the  night  near  Littlestowm,  in  Adams 
County.  Till  they  arri\'ed  at  Frederick,  the 
most  delightful  winter  weather  had  favored 
them  on  the  march,  but  while  encamped 
around  that  town  a  heavy  snow  fell.  This 
was  followed  by  extreme  cold  weather 
which  made  it  impossible  for  the  brigades 
in  the  rear  to  cross  the  Potomac,  then  cov- 
ered w'ith  floating  ice.  After  they  had  all 
crossed  that  stream,  the  Virginia  roads  were 
almost  impassable.  The  top  of  the  deep 
snow  was  a  crust  but  not  sufficiently  strong 
to  bear  the  weight  of  a  man,  so  that  the 
movement  from  the  Potomac  to  V'irginia 
was  the  most  difficult  and  distressing  part 
of  the  march. 

The    last    brigade    finally 
At  arrived  at  Charlottesville. 

Charlottesville.  Having  started  from  Mass- 
achusetts November  10,  it 
required  two  full  months  to  complete  this 
march  of  nearly  700  miles.  At  Charlottes- 
ville a  rude  village  was  built  on  the  brow  of 
a  pleasant  ridge  of  hills,  and  gardens  were 
laid  out  and  planted.  Much  kind  assistance 
was  rendered  in  all  this  work  by  Thomas 
Jefferson,  who  was  then  living  close  by  on 
his  estate  at  Monticello,  and  did  everything 
in  his  power  to  make  things  comfortable  for 
soldiers  and  officers. 

General  \\'illiam  Phillips,  who  was  second 
in  command  at  Saratoga  and  who  had  been 
in  charge  of  the  Con^■ention  prisoners   on 


THE    REVOLUTIOX 


231 


the  march  to  \'irginia  and  while  in  the  bar- 
racks at  Charlottesville,  was  allowed  to  go 
to  New  York  in  the  fall  of  1779,  on  parole. 
^\"hile  in  that  cit)-  he  was  exchanged  for 
General  Benjamin  Lincoln,  recently  cap- 
tured at  Charleston,  S.  C.  In  1780  Phillips 
joined  Benedict  .\rnold  in  an  expedition 
against  Richmond.  Predatory  parties  had 
been  sent  out  in  the  direction  of  Charlottes- 
\ille  and  fearing  that  Arnold  and  Phillips 
might  form  an  expedition  for  the  release  of 
the  prisoners,  Congress  decided  in  the  fall 
of  1780  to  remove  them  northward.  In  the 
early  part  of  October,  the  prisoners  were 
marched  toward  \\'inchester,  in  the  same 
inanner  that  they  had  gone  to  Charlottes- 
ville, two  years  before.  The  prisoners 
were  quartered  at  \\'inchester  for  two 
weeks  and  removed  to  Frederick,  Maryland, 
where  they  were  held  until  Congress  de- 
cided where  they  should  be  taken.  .\t  this 
place  they  occupied  comfortable  barracks 
and  the  men  were  allowed  many  privileges. 
The  officers  were  quartered  in  the  town  and 
plantations  around.  On  May  31,  1781, 
these  British  officers  and  prisoners  wit- 
nessed the  movement  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Line  through  Frederick.  On  July  31,  1781. 
tenant  Anbur}^  wrote  in  his  journal: 

"We  daily  expect  to  remove 
Move  from  this  province  on  account 

Northward,  of  the  movements  of  Lord 
Cornwallis'  army,  which  we 
understand  is  forming  a  junction  with  the 
troops  landed  in  \'irginia,  under  the  com- 
mand of  General  Phillips  and  General  Ar- 
nold, and  this  state  is  not  without  appre- 
hensions of  a  descent  being  made  by  the 
King's  forces.  Therefore  to  impede  this 
progress.  General  ^^'ashington  has  detached 
two  strong  bodies,  one  of  Continental 
troops,  under  the  command  of  the  ]\Iarquis 
de  la  Fayette,  and  the  other  consisting  of 
the  Pennsylvania  Line,  under  General 
A\'ayne.  They  passed  through  Frederick 
last  month,  and  appeared  to  be  mostly 
Scotch  and  Irish  with  a  great  number  of 
blacks.  They  were  badly  clothed,  and  so 
extremely  mutinous  and  discontented,  that 
their  officers  were  afraid  to  trust  them  with 
ammunition.  I  observed  that  they  w^ore 
black  and  white  cockades,  the  ground  being 
the  first  color  and  the  relief  of  the  other. 
On  inc|uiring  the  cause,  a  very  pompous 
American  replied,  'It  was  a  compliment  to 


and  a  symbol  of  afTection  for  their  generous 
and  magnanimous  allies  the  French.'  " 

The  British  and  Hessian  prisoners  greatly 
diminished  in  numbers  both  by  death  and 
desertion  while  at  Frederick.  Congress 
hnally  decided  to  remove  the  prisoners  to 
York  and  Lancaster,  in  Pennsylvania.  The 
officers  were  separated  from  the  prisoners 
at  Lancaster  and  sent  to  East  ^^"indsor, 
Connecticut.  Brigadier-General  Flamilton, 
in  charge  of  the  British  troops,  expressed 
great  displeasure  on  account  of  this  separa- 
tion which,  he  claimed,  was  in  direct  oppo- 
sition to  the  agreement  entered  into  at  the 
surrender  at  Saratoga,  three  years  before. 

THE  RETURN  OF  THE  PRISONERS. 

The  Convention  prisoners  remoxed  late 
in  1780  from  Charlottesville  to  Winchester, 
Virginia,  and  to  Frederick,  Maryland,  were 
ordered  by  Congress  in  1781  to  be  brought 
to  Pennsyhania.  The  British  were  to  be 
quartered  at  York  and  the  Hessians  at  Lan- 
caster. There  were  at  that  time  about 
3000  of  Burgoyne's  officers  and  men  held  as 
prisoners  of  war.  Joseph  Reed,  then  presi- 
dent of  Pennsylvania,  protested  against  so 
many  prisoners  being  brought  into  this 
commonwealth.  In  response  to  President 
Reed's  protest,  the  Board  of  AVar  asserted 
that  Congress  had  not  changed  its  decision 
and  that  Pennsylvania  should  make  prepa- 
ration to  guard  and  sustain  the  prisoners  at 
such  places  in  Pennsylvania  as  would  be 
most  convenient.  At  this  juncture,  Gov- 
ernor Thomas  Lee,  of  ilaryland,  wrote  to 
President  Reed  that  he  had  been  informed 
by  Thomas  Jefferson,  governor  of  Virginia, 
that  the  Burgoyne  prisoners  and  other  Brit- 
ish captured  at  Cowpens,  S.  C,  were  at 
A\'inchester,  March  12,  1781,  on  their  way 
to  Pennsylvania,  and  the  British  prisoners 
at  Frederick,  800  in  number,  were  to  be  sent 
to  York.  On  the  same  day  that  Governor 
Lee  sent  his  communication  to  President 
Reed,  the  latter  wrote  a  long  letter  to  the 
Board  of  \\'ar.  in  which  he  stated: 

We    acknowledge    the    receipt    o£    your 
Reed's       f^^or  of  the   13th   inst.,  calling  upon   us 
--  .   .        to  prepare  U  guard  of  400  militia  and  to 

OppOSltlOn.siipply  provisions  and  all  other  neces- 
saries for  the  convention  troops,  observ- 
ing that  though  the  Hon.  Congress  had 
directed  you  to  take  measures  for  guarding  and  supply- 
ing these  troops  after  they  arrive  at  their  proposed 
quarters  that  you  have  no  other  means  in  your  power 
to   comply  with  this   direction  than  by  calling  on   this 


HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUXTY.    PEXXSYL\'AXIA 


state  for  that  guard  and  those  supplies.  We  are  sorry. 
Gentlemen,  to  inform  you  that  in  the  present  exhausted 
state  of  our  treasury  \vc  have  little  prospect  of  being 
able  to  answer  your  expectations.  We  have  computed 
the  monthly  expense  of  feeding  these  troops  and  guards 
at  8,g6o  pounds  specie  per  month — the  pay  of  the  militia 
and  repair  of  barracks  will  also  be  considerable — which 
added  to  the  necessary  advances  daily  making  for  the 
sustenance  of  the  prisoners  already  here  amoimting  to 
1,000 — to  the  recruiting  and  support  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Line  daily  increasing  and  wholly  within  the  State, 
the  supply  of  the  Continental  Array,  the  artificers,  inva- 
lids, mechanics,  and  other  dependencies  on  Congress, 
will,  we  arc  persuaded,  be  a  burden  insupportable.  And 
we  must  acknowledge  freely  that  we  think  it  very  un- 
equal that  when  there  are  thirteen  states  in  union  all 
the  prisoners  should  be  brought  into  one.  We  have 
always  endeavored  to  comply  with  requisitions  when  in 
our  power,  but  we  do  not  see  the  least  probability  of 
answering  present  expectations  in  their  full  extent. 
Having  already  observed  to  our  delegates  in  Congress, 
the  danger  of  adding  to  the  dissatisfaction  of  the  in- 
habitants, especially  from  the  influence  of  the  German 
officers,  we  need  not  touch  on  that  head,  though  of  a 
very  delicate  and  alarming  nature.  But  in  another  view 
the  bringing  these  troops  into  the  state  must  affect  the 
general  interest.  Should  they  cross  the  Susquehanna 
we  are  fully  persuaded  much  the  greatest  part  of  them 
will  be  in  Kew  York  in  a  few  months;  they  will  find 
so  many  friends  and  opportunities  to  convey  them 
thither  that  unless  closely  confined  no  precautions  will 
be  sufficient  to  prevent  this  evil.  Our  militia  in  the 
country  are  very  badly  armed,  so  that  if  either  through 
scarcit}'  of  provisions,  other  discontent  or  impatience  of 
captivity  these  troops  should  resolve  to  serve  the  enemy 
and  prefer  force  to  desertion  we  apprehend  there  is 
danger  of  their  effecting  it.  The  high  price  of  pro- 
visions, of  fuel  and  all  other  necessaries  at  Lancaster 
and  York  will  be  an  object  also  well  worthy  of  con- 
sideration, the  rates  of  wood  and  other  necessary 
articles  at  Lancaster  not  differin.g  materially  from  those 
of  Philadelphia.  This  will  be  our  last  representation  on 
the  subject  which  we  have  thought  it  our  duty  to  make 
— that  should  any  bad  consequences  result  we  may 
stand  fully  acquitted,  having  declared  our  opinion  that 
we  shall  not  be  able  to  provide  for  them  with  that 
plenty  or  guard  them  in  that  security  which  the  case 
requires. 

The  Board  of  ^^■ar  then  decided  that  the 
British  officers  held  at  ^^'inchester  and 
Frederick  shotild  1)e  "put  on  tlieir  parole" 
and  sent  to  Simsbury,  Connecticut,  the  Ger- 
man troops  should  be  held  at  A\'inchester 
and  their  officers  put  on  parole  at  that  place. 
The  British  privates  and  non-commissioned 
officers  were  to  remain  at  Frederick  for  the 
time  being.  Colonel  James  Wood,  of  the 
Continental  army,  who  had  the  prisoners  in 
charge,  was  ordered  by  Congress  to  carry 
out  the  plans  already  made  for  their  dis- 
position. Almost  I, GOO  unconditional 
prisoners  captured  af  Cowpens  and  else- 
where in  the  south  were  ordered  to  the  Lan- 
caster barracks  and  the  3,000  Saratoga 
prisoners  to  be  retained  for  a  time  in  Mary- 
land and  V'irginia.  At  this  time  General 
Philips,  of  the  British  army,  who  had  been 


exchanged,  was  then  in  command  of  900 
men  who  had  either  deserted  or  escaped 
from  the  camp  at  Charlottesville.  With  this 
force  he  had  joined  the  traitor,  Benedict 
Arnold,  in  front  of  Richmond.  Lord  Corii- 
wallis,  with  a  large  British  army,  was  now 
on  his  march  through  the  Carolinas  toward 
A^irginia  in  pursuit  of  General  Greene.  As 
the  Board  of  War  thought  the  scene  of 
hostilities  in  1781  might  be  in  Virginia,  it 
decided  in  May  of  that  year  that  the  prison- 
ers held  in  Virginia  and  Maryland  should 
be  forwarded  to  eastern  {Massachusetts, 
Congress  then  ordered  Pennsylvania  to 
furnish  600  militia,  which  were  to  assemble 
at  York,  and  relieve  the  Virginia  militia  and 
take  charge  of  the  prisoners  to  be  moved 
eastward  under  the  superintendency  of 
Colonel  James  \\'ood. 

The  York  County  wagon- 
Prisoners  in  masters  were  ordered  to 
Pennsylvania,     have  fifty  or  more  wagons 

at  York.  Major  Bailey,  of 
York,  commanded  the  militia  assembled  for 
the  purpose  of  acting  as  a  guard  to  the 
prisoners  on  their  eastern  movement  and 
under  his  direction  the  Virginia  guard 
was  relieved  and  the  local  militia  escorted 
the  prisoners  to  Lancaster,  where  they 
arrived  early  in  June,  1781.  The  British 
were  placed  in  the  Lancaster  l)arracks  and 
in  camps  on  the  public  common  in  that 
town.  It  was  now  decided  by  Congress  to 
ha\-e  them  remain  in  Pennsylvania.  On 
June  17,  Major  Bailey  escorted  from  York 
two  divisions,  one  of  1,200  German  and 
Hessian  prisoners,  to  Reading,  and  another 
composed  of  600  privates,  300  waiters  and 
about  300  women  and  children  to  Lancaster. 
On  June  27,  President  Reed,  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, wrote,  "The  Convention  and  other 
British  prisoners  to  the  number  of  4,000  are 
now  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania."  He 
therefore  ordered  out  the  militia  of  York, 
Lancaster,  Berks  and  Xorthampton  Coun- 
ties to  guard  them  on  tlieir  movement  to 
places  where  they  were  to  be  confined. 
Colonel  \\'ood,  of  the  Continental  army,  in 
charge  of  the  prisoners  both  in  Virginia  and 
after  they  came  to  Pennsylvania,  wrote. 
June  30,  1781,  that  he  had  received  instruc- 
tions from  the  Board  of  War  to  quarter  the 
British  near  York  and  the  Germans  at 
Reading,  but  that  he  had  not  received 
definite  instructions  as  to  the  exact  places 


THE    REX'OLUTIOX 


233 


of  confinement.  President  Reed  then  wrote 
to  William  Scott,  lieutenant  of  the  York 
County  militia,  to  mark  out  a  suitable  spot, 
well-wooded  and  watered  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  the  prisoners  to  be  quartered  at 
York.  A  place  where  the  prisoners  could 
build  huts,  surrounded  by  a  picket,  was 
designated.  The  local  militia  intended  to 
guard  the  prisoners,  were  to  receive  pay  at 
the  rate  of  three  and  a  half  shillings  a  day 
in  coin.  The  Continental  money  was  then 
nearly  worthless.  On  July  28,  Lieutenant 
William  Scott,  of  York  County,  wrote  to 
President  Reed: 

Agreeable  to  your  Excellency's  orders  I  have 
Camp  found  a  place  for  the  convention  troops  to 
Near  encamp ;  about  four  miles  and  a  half  soutli- 
^  east  of  Yorktown,  which  Colonel  Wood  had 

lOrk.  approved  as  a  suitable  and  convenient  place. 
I  have  also  called  the  fourth  class  of  the 
militia,  who  have  furnished  upwards  of  one 
hundred  men  to  guard  them.  Colonel  Wood  is  of  the 
opinion  it  will  require  near  double  that  number  until 
the  necessary  works  on  the  encampment  are  erected. 

I  have  collected  all  the  arms  in  York  and  Hanover. 
which  are  not  half  enough  for  the  guards.  Therefore 
have  to  request  of  the  Honorable  Council  to  send  us 
arms  and  ammunition  for  the  use  of  the  guards  afore- 
said. 

The  arms  which  our  seven  months'  men  carried  to 
Philadelphia  last  year  (forty-three  in  number)  were 
delivered  up  in  a  house  near  the  bridge  on  W'ater 
Street,  where  clothing  and  other  military  stores  were 
then  kept,  but  no  receipts  passed  for  them  that  I  can 
find. 

Colonel  Wood  has  called  on  me  for  ten  or  twelve 
carpenters  and  for  axes,  spades,  picks  and  shovels,  for 
building  the  huts  and  pickets.  The  carpenters  and  the 
smiths  who  make  the  tools  look  to  me  for  their  pay: 
have  therefore  to  beg  your  E.xcellency's  directions  in 
this  matter,  whether  it  is  a  county  or  continental  charge 
and  how  and  when  these  people  are  to  be  paid  and  by 
whom. 

On  August  2,  1781,  Colonel  James  Wood 
stated  "I  have  fixed  the  British  troops  on 
good  ground,  the  property  of  a  non-juror, 
between  York  and  Susquehanna,  so  as  to  be 
verv  convenient  to  throw  them  across  the 


CAMP  SECURITY. 

The  place  selected  by  Colonel  Wood  as  a 
cantonment  for  the  prisoners  was  situated 
in  the  extreme  northeastern  part  of  Wind- 
sor Township,  a  short  distance  east  of  the 
village  of  Longstown,  and  on  the  north  side 
of  the  road  leading  from  Longstown  to  East 
Prospect.  At  this  place  the  British  Con- 
vention prisoners  to  the  number  of  nearly 
two  thousand  were  brought  back  from  Lan- 
caster in  August,  1781.  They  were  required 
to  assist  the  carpenters    employed    by    the 


government  in  erecting  a  stockade  and  in 
building  huts  out  of  wood.  This  place  was 
known  in  Revolutionary  annals  as  "Camp 
Security"  and  is  so  designated  in  the  gov- 
ernment records. 

.\fter  the  prisoners  had  arrived  at  York, 
Lancaster  and  Reading,  the  authorities  of 
Pennsylvania  and  Continental  Congress,  as 
well,  thought  it  possible  that  the  British 
forces  under  Lord  Cornwallis  might  raid 
into  Pennsylvania  for  the  purpose  of  releas- 
ing these  prisoners. 

In  March,  1781.  General  Greene  had 
fought  the  battle  of  Guilford  Court  House, 
near  Greensboro,  North  Carolina,  with 
Cornwallis,  who  then  commanded  7,000 
men.  It  was  an  indecisive  battle  and  re- 
sulted in  Cornwallis  moving  to  Wilmington 
on  the  coast  of  that  state.  Greene  returned 
to  South  Carolina  and  after  successive  en- 
gagements with  the  enemy,  drove  them  into 
Charleston  and  Savannah.  Cornwallis 
sailed  to  Hampton  Roads  and  selected  a  de- 
fensive position  on  the  James  River  at 
Yorktown,  Virginia.  In  August,  1781,  a 
detachment  of  2,000  of  the  troops  from  the 
British  army  under  Cornwallis  landed  on 
the  banks  of  the  Chesapeake  near  An- 
napolis, Maryland.  ^Meantime,  Washing- 
ton, with  an  arm\-  of  6,000  men,  marched 
from  the  Hudson  River  through  eastern 
Pennsylvania  and  ]Maryland  to  join  Lafay- 
ette and  ^^'a^•ne,  then  concentrating  near 
Yorktown,  Virginia. 

The  arrival  of  the  2.000  troops  at 
Militia  Annapolis  caused  alarm  at  York, 
Called  Lancaster  and  Reading,  and  the 
Out,  authorities  of  Pennsylvania  called 
out  the  militia  for  defensive  oper- 
ations. Lieutenant  William  Scott,  com- 
mander of  the  York  County  IMilitia,  put  into 
service  200  light  horse,  a  cavalry  squadron, 
and  posted  them  in  a  chain  west  of  the  Sus- 
quehanna, extending  from  York  to  Chesa- 
peake Bay.  In  case  the  British  landed  at 
the  head  of  the  Chesapeake  these  horsemen 
were  intended  to  convey  the  news  with  all 
possible  haste  to  the  cantonments  of  prison- 
ers at  York  and  the  other  towns  in  Penn- 
sylvania. .At  this  period  in  the  Revolution 
there  was  considerable  excitement  in  York 
County  and  the  adjoining  sections  of  the 
state.  Fortunatel}-,  the  appearance  of 
Washington  in  \'irginia  caused  a  change  in 
the  operations  of  the  enemy,  who  now  con- 


234 


HISTORY   OP  YORK   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


centrated  under  Cornwallis  at  Yorktown, 
where,  in  October,  1781,  the  entire  British 
ami}'  surrendered.  Later  in  the  year,  and 
during  the  spring  of  1782,  detachments  of 
prisoners  from  the  army  of  CorhwalHs  were 
also  brought  to  York  and  imprisoned  in 
liuts  erected  a  short  distance  east  of  the 
stockade  in  Windsor  Township,  where 
about  2,000  of  Burgoyne's  army  were  then 
held,  as  described  above.  A  description  of 
the  prison  pens  near  York,  as  they  were  at 
this  period  is  given  in  an  abstract  from  the 
diary  of  Sergeant  Lamb,  found  further  on  in 
this  narrative.  At  this  place  most  of  the 
British  prisoners,  brought  here  in  1781  and 

1782,  remained  until  the  cessation  of  hostili- 
ties was  declared  April  19,  1783,  the  eighth 
anniversary  of  the  battle  of  Lexington  and 
Concord. 

So  far  as  is  known,  few  Hessians 
Hessians     were   ever  held   as   prisoners   of 
at  war  within  the  stockade  or  the 

Reading,  huts  of  the  prison  pen  in  Wind- 
sor Township,  in  1781-2-3. 
There  were  a  number  of  Hessians  in 
Y^ork  in  1777.  The  German  and  Hes- 
sian troops,  about  1,200  in  number, 
were  held  as  prisoners  in  Reading, 
until  the  close,  of  the  war.     On  February  8, 

1783,  a  letter  was  sent  to  General  Riedesel. 
instructing  the  Hessian  and  German  prison- 
ers to  remain  in  America  after  they  were  set 
free,  if  they  so  desired.  In  pursuance  of  this 
letter,  a  large  number  of  the  Hessians  who 
had  been  captured  at  Saratoga,  Long  Island 
and  Trenton,  remained  in  Pennsylvania, 
where  they  became  industrious  mechanics 
or  farmers.  Quite  a  number  of  them  settled 
in  difl'erent  parts  of  York  County. 

Daniel  Brubaker,  a  citizen  of 
Brubaker's  Lancaster  County,  owned  the 
Petition.  land  four  and  a  half  miles  east 
of  York  where  the  prison  pens 
had  been  erected.  In  December,  1781,  four 
months  after  the  arrival  of  the  first  prison- 
ers, he  sent  a  petition  to  General  Benjamin 
Lincoln,  of  the  Continental  army  and  the 
Supreme  Executive  Council  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, setting  forth  certain  grievances.  He 
stated  that  he  owned  280  acres  near  York, 
for  which  he  had  paid  1,200  pounds  specie. 
This  land  had  been  selected  as  a  place  for 
confinement  for  part  of  the  British  Conven- 
tion prisoners  that  had  been  removed  from 
Lancaster.     One  hundred  acres  of  this  land 


had  been  cleared.  The  persons  employed 
by  the  government  in  constructing  stock- . 
ades  and  building  huts,  had  cleared  thirty 
additional  acres  of  timber,  for  which  he  had 
received  no  pay.  The  guards  had  also  used 
nearly  all  the  fall  rails  which  enclosed  his 
cleared  land.  This  had  deprived  his  tenant 
of  the  Indian  corn  on  the  land  and  the  use 
of  his  pasture.  He  further  stated  that  he 
did  not  want  to  say  anything  against  Colo- 
nel Wood,  who  had  charge  of  the  prisoners 
and  who  regretted  the  condition  of  affairs 
which  had  come  about  before  that  officer 
had  been  placed  in  charge  of  the  prison 
pens.  The  petitioner  acknowledged  that 
the  prisoners  could  not  be  removed  during 
the  inclement  season,  yet  he  requested  that 
all  further  waste  or  destruction  of  the  tim- 
ber or  other  property  on  his  plantation  be 
prevented. 

SERGEANT  LAMB'S  STORY. 

Sergeant  Roger  Lamb,  an  educated  Irish-  . 
man,  who  was  captured  with  Burgoyne  at 
Saratoga,  wrote  a  work  entitled  "Journal  of 
the  American  W'ar,"  which  was  published  in 
Dublin  in  1809.  He  served  in  a  regiment 
of  AA'elsh  Fusileers  and  after  his  capture 
accompanied  the  British  prisoners  to  Bos- 
ton, where  he  remained  until  they  were  re- 
moved to  Virginia.  When  these  prisoners 
were  about  to  cross  the  Hudson  at  Fishkill, 
on  their  march  to  the  south.  Sergeant  Lamb 
escaped  to  the  city  of  New  York,  where  he 
was  received  with  great  afifability  by  Major 
Andre,  who  was  acting  as  adjutant-general 
to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  commanding  the 
British  forces  in  that  city.  In  1781  he 
served  in  the  Southern  army  and  at  the  bat- 
tle of  Guilford  Court  House  saved  Corn- 
wallis from  capture. 

In  October  of  the  same  year  he  was  cap- 
tured with  the  British  army  at  Yorktown 
and  soon  after  he  escaped  the  American 
guard  and  fled  to  Frederick,  Maryland, 
where  he  was  again  captured  and  placed  in 
the  barracks  in  that  town  with  other  British 
officers.  After  two  weeks'  imprisonment 
there,  he  was  sent  to  W^inchester,  Virginia, 
where  his  own  regiment,  which  had  served 
at  the  siege  of  Yorktown,  was  then  quar- 
tered in  barracks. 

"Part  of  the  British  troops  remained  in 
W'inchester  until  January,  1782,"  says  Ser- 
geant Lamb  in  his  Journal,  "when  Congress 


THE    RKVOLUTIOX 


^35 


ordered  us  to  1)C  marched  to  York,  in  Penn- 
sylvania. I  received  information  that  as 
soon  as  I  fell  into  ranks  to  march  off.  I 
should  be  taken  and  confined  in  \\'inchester 
jail,  as  the  Americans  were  apprehensive 
that  when  I  got  near  to  New  York  I  should 
again  attempt  my  escape  to  that  place;  I 
was  advised  by  my  officers  to  conceal  ni}^- 
self  until  the  troops  had  marched.  I  took 
the  hint  and  hid  myself  in  the  hospital 
among  the  sick,  where  I  reinained  until  the 
American  guards  had  been  two  days  on 
their  march  with  the  British  prisoners.  I 
then  prepared  to  follow  them,  but  at  a 
cautious  distance. 

"The    troops    arri\-ed    at    York, 

In  Camp     and  were  confined    in.   a    prison 

Security,     similar  to  the    one    at    Rutland, 

Massachusetts,        where        Bur- 

goyne's  prisoners  were  held  in  1778. 

"A  great  number  of  trees  were  ordered  to 
be  cut  down  in  the  woods ;  these  were 
sharpened  at  each  end,  and  driven  firmly 
into  the  earth  verj-  close  together,  enclos- 
ing a  space  of  about  two  or  three  acres. 
American  sentinels  were  planted  on  the 
outside  of  the  fence,  at  convenient  distances, 
in  order  to  prevent  our  getting  out.  At  one 
angle,  a  gate  was  erected  and  on  the  out- 
side thereof,  stood  the  guard  house;  two 
sentinels  were  constantly  posted  at  this 
gate,  and  no  one  could  get  out  unless  he  had 
a  pass  from  the  officer  of  the  guard ;  but 
this  was  a  privilege  in  which  very  few  were 
indulged. 

"About  two  hundred  yards  from  this  pen, 
a  small  village  had  been  built  by  prisoners 
of  General  Burgoyne's  army,  who  were  al- 
lowed very  great  privileges  with  respect  to 
liberty  in  the  country.  When  some  of  my 
former  comrades  of  the  Ninth  Regiment 
were  informed  that  I  was  a  prisoner  in  Lord 
Cornwallis'  army,  and  that  I  was  shortly 
expected  at  York,  they  immediately  applied 
to  the  commanding  officer  of  the  Americans 
for  a  pass  in  mj-  name,  claiming  me  as  one 
of  their  regiment.  This  w^as  immediately 
granted,  and  some  of  them  kindly  and 
attentively  placed  themselves  on  the  w-atch 
for  my  arrival,  lest  I  should  be  confined  with 
the  rest  of  Lord  Cornwallis'  army.  When  I 
reached  York  I  was  most  agreeably  sur- 
prised at  meeting  my  former  companions; 
and  more  so  when  a  pass  was  put  into  m\' 
hands,  giving  me  the  ])rivilege  of  ten  miles 


of  the  countr\'  round  while  I  behaved  well 
and  orderly.  I  was  then  conducted  to  a  hut 
which  my  poor  loving  coinpanions  had  built 
for  me  in  their  village  before  my  arrival. 
Here  I  remained  some  tinje,  visiting  my 
former  companions  from  hut  to  hut ;  but  I 
was  astonished  at  the  spirit  of  industry 
which  prevailed  among  them.  Men,  women 
and  children  were  employed  making  lace, 
buckles,  spoons,  and  exercising  other  me- 
chanical trades  which  they  had  learned 
during  their  captivity.  They  had  very  great 
liberty  from  the  Americans,  and  were 
allowed  to  go  around  the  country  and  sell 
their  goods ;  wdiile  the  soldiers  of  Corn- 
wallis' army  w-ere  closel}'  confined.  I  per- 
ceived that  they  had  lost  that  animation 
which  ought  to  possess  the  breast  of  the 
soldier.  I  strove  by  every  argument  to 
rouse  them  from  their  lethargy.  I  offered 
to  head  any  number  of  them,  and  make  a 
noble  effort  to  escape  into  New  York,  and 
join  our  comrades  in  arms;  but  all  my 
efforts  proved  ineffectual.  As  for  my  own 
part,  I  was  determined  to  make  the  attempt. 
I  well  knew  from  experience,  that  a  few 
companions  would  be  highly  necessary. 
Accordingly  I  sent  word  of  my  intention  to 
seven  men  of  the  Twenty-third  Regiment 
who  were  confined  in  the  pen,  that  I  was 
willing  to  take  thein  with  me.  I  believe  in 
all  the  British  army  that  these  men,  three 
sergeants  and  four  privates,  could  not  have 
been  excelled  for  courage  and  intrepidity. 
They  rejoiced  at  the  idea;  and  by  the  aid  of 
some  of  Burgoyne's  army,  they  were  en- 
abled under  cover  of  a  dark  night,  to  scale 
their  fence  and  assemble  in  my  hut.  I  sent 
word  of  my  intention  to  my  commanding 
officer.  Captain  Saumarez,  of  the  Twenty- 
third,  and  likewise  the  names  of  the  men 
whom  I  purposed  to  take  with  me.  As  my 
money  was  almost  expended,  I  begged  of 
him  to  advance  me  as  much  as  convenient. 
He  immediately  sent  me  a  supply. 

"It   was   on   the   first   of   ^L-lrch, 
Escaped     1782,  that    I    set    off    with    my 
From        party." 

Prison.  After  Sergeant  Lamb  escaped 
with  his  seven  companions  from 
prison  at  Y^ork,  he  went  to  New  York  City, 
where  Sir  Guy  Carleton  was  then  com- 
mander of  the  British  troops.  After  the  war 
he  returned  to  Dublin,  where  he  became  a 
teacher  and  author,  and  died  in  1830. 


236 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY.    PEXXSYLVAXIA 


BARON  RIEDESEL. 

Baron  Friederich  Adolph  Riedesel,  who 
held  the  rank  of  a  major-general  in  the 
English  army,  commanded  2,400  Brunswick 
and  Hessian  troops  at  the  time  of  the  sur- 
render of  Burgoyne  at  Saratoga.  Both  his 
entire  command  and  himself  became  prison- 
ers of  war  on  October  17,  1777.  General 
Riedesel  was  born  in  Lauterbach,  Rhine- 
Hesse,  June  3,  1738.  At  the  time  of  the  sur- 
render he  was  39  years  of  age.  Riedesel 
studied  law,  but  during  the  Seven  Years' 
AA'ar  for  German  liberty  served  as  an  aide 
on  the  staff  of  Prince  Ferdinand  of  Bruns- 
wick. He  acquitted  himself  gallantly  in  the 
execution  of  an  important  commission  at 
the  battle  of  Minden.  In  1767  he  was  pro- 
moted to  the  rank  of  adjutant-general  of  the 
Prussian  army.  Soon  after  the  beginning 
of  the  American  Revolution,  England, 
having  hired  of  the  petty  German  sover- 
eigns 20,000  troops,  of  which  4,000  were 
from  Brunswick,  Riedesel  was  given  the 
rank  of  major-general  and  placed  in  com- 
mand of  the  Brunswickers.  He  arrived 
with  his  troops  at  Quebec,  Canada,  June, 
1776.  The  following  year  he  joined  Bur- 
goyne on  his  unfortunate  expedition,  in 
command  of  all  the  German  troops.  Rie- 
desel wrote  an  extended  account  of  his  ex- 
perience as  an  officer  and  a  prisoner  while  in 
America.  This  journal  was  afterward 
translated  into  English.  He  passed  through 
York,  December,  1778,  in  command  of  his 
own  troops  as  prisoners  on  their  way  to  Vir- 
ginia, and  upon  his  return  in  1779  remained 
here  a  week  with  his  wife,  three  children 
and  a  retinue  of  attendants. 

.\fter  the  surrender  at  Saratoga,  some  of 
the  English  officers  were  exchanged,  but 
few  of  the  Germans.  Riedesel  wrote  to 
Howe,  at  Philadelphia,  asking  that  a  cor- 
responding number  of  German  officers  be 
exchanged,  including  General  Specht  and 
Riedesel's  own  aides.  The  Baron  remained 
in  command  of  his  own  soldiers  and  had 
them  undergo  military  drill  every  day  while 
in  camp  at  Winter  Hill,  after  their  move- 
ment to  Boston,  even  though  they  had 
given  up  their  arms  at  the  surrender. 

After  the  prisoners  learned  that  Congress 
at  York  had  decided  not  to  recognize  the 
agreement  at  Saratoga,  numbers  of  them 
deserted.       'J'here     were,     however,     more 


desertions  among  the  English  than  the  Ger- 
mans. Congress  sent  an  American  named 
]\Iasserow  as  a  commissioner,  to  Boston  to 
consult  with  the  British  and  German  officers 
with  reference  to  their  exchange.  Riedesel 
alleges  that  Masserow  accepted  bribes;  that 
he  received  from  50  to  100  guineas  each,  for 
recommending  to  Congress  certain  officers 
to  be  exchanged.  It  is  even  claimed  by  the 
Baron  in  his  journal  that  Burgoyne  himself 
courted  the  favor  of  the  commissioner  and 
through  him  obtained  authority  of  Congress 
for  his  own  release  b)^  the  payment  of 
$40,000,  which  was  paid  in  provisions  and 
used  for  the  maintenance  of  the  American 
troops  and  British  and  Hessian  prisoners  in 
[Massachusetts.  By  the  order  of  General 
Howe,  ships  were  sent  from  Rhode  Island 
laden  with  flour  and  meat. 

General  Riedesel,  through  Commissioner 
Masserow,  petitioned  Congress  for  permis- 
sion to  send  to  Canada  for  the  baggage  and 
clothing  of  his  troops,  which  was  granted. 
During  the  summer  of  1778  the  people  of 
Massachusetts,  as  well  as  the  American 
soldiers,  tried  to  induce  the  prisoners  to 
desert.  They  succeeded  best  with  the 
British.  By  the  5th  of  April,  655  English 
soldiers,  119  Germans,  41  Hesse-Hanau  and 
3  Brunswickers  had  deserted.  Up  to  this 
time  not  a  single  German  officer  had  been 
exchanged. 

In  November,  1778,  arrangements  were 
made  to  send  the  captured  troops  to  Vir- 
ginia. The  American  guard  for  removing 
these  troops  was  increased  by  the  addition 
of  three  regiments  of  the  Massachusetts 
militia.  The  light  horse  and  artiller}-  were 
also  increased.  In  May,  American  emis- 
saries came  into  camp  and  induced  many 
Germans  to  desert.  By  authority  of  Con- 
gress circulars  were  distributed  through  the 
camps  of  the  prisoners  to  encourage  both 
the  British  and  Germans  to  desert.  During 
the  months  of  April  and  May  the  Bruns- 
wickers lost  118  men  by  desertion. 

In  September  a  number  of  German 
officers  were  exchanged,  among  them  Chap- 
lain F.  V.  Melsheimer,  of  the  Brunswick 
Dragoon  Regiment. 

After  Congress  decided  not  to  accept  the 
conditions  of  the  surrender  at  Saratoga,  Sir 
Henry  Clinton,  in  New  York,  declared  that 
if  the  Convention  troops  were  to  be  treated 
like  other  prisoners,  they  must  be  supported 


THE    REVOLUTION 


237 


by  their  captors.  General  Heath,  in  com- 
mand at  Boston,  received  orders  from  Con- 
gress at  York  that  the  British  and  German 
prisoners  should  be  removed  to  Charlottes- 
\ille,  Virginia,  a  long  distance  away  from 
the  theatre  of  war,  and  to  a  jilace  where 
provisions  could  more  easily  be  oljtained. 
The  prisoners  were  marched  from  Rutland 
and  Cambridge  by  the  American  guard  in 
the  following  order,  starting  November  10: 
Each  nationality  formed  three 
Order      di\-isions,  and  was  attended  by  an 

of  American  escort.     The  first  Eng- 

March.  lish  division,  consisting  of  the 
artillery,  grenadiers,  light  infantry 
and  the  Ninth  Regiment  under  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Hill,  and  the  First  German  division, 
consisting  of  the  dragoons,  grenadiers,  and 
the  regiment  Von  Rhetz  under  Major  Von 
Mengen,  were  to  start  on  November  10. 
The  second  English  division,  consisting  of 
tlie  Twentieth  and  Twenty-first  Regiments, 
under  command  of  Major  Forster,  and  the 
second  German  division,  consisting  of  the 
regiments  of  Von  Riedesel  and  Von  Specht 
and  led  by  Brigadier-General  Specht,  were 
to  follow  on  the  nth.  On  the  12th  the  third 
English  division,  composed  of  the  Twenty- 
fourth,  Forty-seventh  and  Sixty-second 
Regiments,  under  the  command  of  Briga- 
dier Hamilton,  were  to  follow.  The  third 
German  division,  which  was  made  up  of  the 
battalion  Barner,  the  regiment  Hesse- 
Hanau,  and  Hanau  artillery,  under  Briga- 
dier Gall,  were  also  to  march  on  the  same 
day. 

General  Riedesel  says  in  his  journal: 

"The  want  of  money  was  one  of  critical 
importance  in  our  position  at  that  time.  All 
the  officers  who  had  money  were  obliged  to 
lend  it  for  the  use  of  the  troops,  who  in  this 
manner  received  their  pay  in  hard  cash. 
Those  officers  who  were  in  need  of  money 
had  as  much  furnished  them  as  was  neces- 
sary to  procure  horses,  etc.,  for  their  long 
journey.  Nor  was  this  more  than  fair,  as 
several  months'  pay  was  due  them.  This 
arrangement  was  somewhat  of  a  help,  it  is 
true,  but  not  nearly  enough  to  satisfy  the 
demands  of  all." 

When  the  German  troops  arrived  at 
Salisbury,  Conn.,  they  received  $70,000, 
which  Riedesel  had  borrowed  on  his  own 
credit  from  merchants  in  Boston.  On  No- 
veml)er   28,    the    advance     of     the     German 


troops  arrived  at  Fishkill,  on  the  Hudson; 
December  13,  they  were  passing  through 
Bucks  County,  Pennsylvania,  and  on  the 
i6th  crossed  the  Schuylkill  at  Valley  Forge. 
On  the  20th  they  crossed  the  Conestoga 
Creek  to  Lancaster,  where  they  rested  one 
day :  on  the  22d  they  crossed  the  Susque- 
hanna at  Wright's  Ferry  and  took  quarters 
for  the  night  at  York.  On  the  24th  they 
arrived  at  Hanover,  where  they  rested  a 
day,  passed  through  Littlestown  on  Christ- 
mas day  and  on  the  26th  halted  at  Taney- 
tbwn,  Marjdand.  The  other  brigades  or 
divisions  of  British  and  German  troops  fol- 
lowed in  succession,  a  day  behind  the  ad- 
vance. 

On  New  Year's  eve,  1778,  the  German 
troops  first  stepped  upon  the  soil  of  Vir- 
ginia and  on  the  15th  of  January  arrived  at 
their  place  of  destination,  near  Charlottes- 
ville, where  they  remained  as  prisoners  of 
war  from  January,  1779,  until  the  fall  of 
1781.  The  estimated  number  of  British  and 
German  troops  wdio  were  marched  from 
Massachusetts  through  York  to  Virginia, 
was  4,459.  According  to  this  statement 
about  1,300  had  deserted,  for  the  descriptive 
list  shows  that  5,800  had  surrendered  at 
Saratoga  in  October,  1777. 

In  an  account  of  the  movement  of  the 
troops  from  Boston  to  Virginia,  William 
Stone,  the  biographer  of  Riedesel,  states: 

"On  this  journey  General  Riedesel  and 
his  family  experienced  much  that  was  dis- 
agreeable, and  suffered  many  wrongs  from 
the  inhabitants,  \\ho  w-ere  to  a  man  in  favor 
of  the  cause  of  freedom.  Some  of  them 
scarcely  would  grant  a  shelter  to  the  w'eary 
travellers,  even  when  extreme  fatigue  pre- 
vented them  from  going  a  step  further,  and 
it  \vould  have  been  still  worse  for  them,  had 
not  ^ladame  Riedesel  been  in  the  party. 
By  her  eloquence  and  patience,  she  knew 
how  to  move  these  obdurate  people. 

"The  passage  across  the  Hudson  in  a 
miserable  skifif  in  the  midst  of  stormy 
weather,  was  attended  with  extreme  dan- 
ger; and  competent  judges  who  afterward 
heard  of  it.  could  scarcely  understand  how 
it  was  that  it  had  been  so  successfully  ac- 
complished. The  river  having  been  safely 
crossed,  the  party  continued  their  journe}^ 
as  far  as  the  residence  of  an  American 
colonel,  by  the  name  of  Osborn,  to  whom 
Riedesel   had    a   letter    from    Gates.      Thev 


238 


HISTORY   OF  YORK  COUNTY.    PEXXSYLX'AXIA 


were  received  Ijy  liim  in  a  most  friendly 
manner,  notwithstanding  he  was  a  great 
enemy  to  tlie  ro}-aIists,  as  well  as  a  very 
l)lunt  man. 

"The    fact    that    General    Rie- 
Excitement     desel   did   not   arrive   at   Lan- 
in  caster  on  the  19th  of  Decent- 

Lancaster,  ber,  with  the  troops,  was,  per- 
haps, a  most  fortunate  cir- 
cumstance; for  the  inhabitants  were  so  en- 
raged against  him,  that  extreme  measures 
might  ha\e  been  provoked  by  his  presence. 
Among  the  silly  reports  that  were  circulated 
and  believed  in  those  excitable  times  by  the 
people  of  Lancaster,  was  one  to  the  effect 
that  the  town  of  Lancaster  and  the  sur- 
rounding cotmtry  had  been  presented  to  the 
German  general, by  the  king  of  England,  and 
that  the  general  would  soon  arrive  with  his 
troops  to  take  possession.  The  excitement 
was,  therefore,  great  wdien  the  German 
troops  arrived ;  but  as  soon  as  the  American 
officers  on  the  escort  explained  the  true 
position  of  affairs,  and  the  pitiable  condition 
of  the  troops  was  seen,  many  a  good  citizen 
of  Lancaster  wondered  how  he  could  have 
given  credence  to  such  a  ridiculous  rumor. 

"Snow  had  fallen  to  such  a  depth  that  the 
carriages  of  the  general's  party  could 
scarcely  move.  The  coachmen,  at  times, 
were  obliged  to  take  the  horses  from  the 
vehicles,  and  with  the  officers  who  escorted 
the  family,  ride  on  in  advance,  to  break  a 
road.  The  provisions  were  exhausted,  and 
very  often  not  a  particle  of  food  could  be 
had  of  the  inhabitants  even  for  money. 
Baroness  Riedesel  and  her  children  actually 
suffered  from  sheer  want,  and  this  notwith- 
standing her  husband  and  his  officers  de- 
prived themselves  of  everything,  that  the 
women  and  children  might  be  provided  for. 
Captain  Edmonson,  who,  out  of  love  for  the 
children,  had  accompanied  the  party,  would 
often  ride  to  the  huts,  wdiich  were  a  little 
off  the  road,  and  beg  provisions  of  the  in- 
habitants; but  he  generally  returned  from 
a  l>ootless  mission. 

"Soon  after  crossing  the  Hudson,  General 
Riedesel,  accompanied  by  a  few  of  his  adju- 
tants, left  his  family  in  order  to  overtake  his 
troops.  It  is  not  known  definitely  wdiere  he 
met  them,  or  indeed  if  he  overtook  them  at 
all.  Only  this  much  is  known  to  a  certainty, 
that  the  general  waited  for  his  family  at 
Colle,  which    is    distant    about    two    hours 


from  Charlottesville.  Here  he  had  hired  a 
house  which  he  was  occupying  when 
Madame  Riedesel  and  the  children  joined 
him  about  the  middle  of  February.  The 
party  had  been  twelve  weeks  on  their  w^ay, 
liad  crossed  six  states,  and  had  journeyed 
six  hundred  and  seventy-eight  miles.  The 
house,  hired  by  Riedesel  at  Colle,  belonged 
to  an  Italian,  wdio,  a  few  weeks  later,  moved 
out  of  it,  leaving  it,  together  with  a  nice 
little  garden,  to  Riedesel  and  his  family." 

During  the  stuumer  of  1779,  General 
Riedesel  built  a  house  at  Colle,  wdiich  cost 
him  100  guineas,  but  his  family  and  he  never 
had  the  opportunity  of  occupying  it.  In 
September  of  that  year  he  received  word 
that  he  would  soon  be  exchanged.  After 
putting  the  German  prisoners  in  charge  of 
General  Specht,  by  authority  of  Colonel 
James  Wood,  the  commander  of  the  Ameri- 
can guard,  Riedesel  left  Virginia  for  Xew 
York,  accompanied  by  Major-General  Phil- 
lips. Soon  after  his  arrival  there  he  was 
exchanged  and  by  order  of  Sir  Henry  Clin- 
ton was  placed  in  command  at  Long  Island 
with  headquarters  on  what  are  now  Brook- 
lyn Heights.  At  tlie  close  of  the  Revolu- 
tion, in  1783,  he  returned  to  Germany, 
where  he  w^as  given  the  rank  of  lieutenant- 
general  in  1787.  At  the  time  of  his  death, 
in  1800,  he  was  commandant  of  the  city  of 
Brimswick. 

A  HEROINE  OF  THE  REVOLUTION. 

The  wife  of  General  Riedesel  had  a  ro- 
mantic history  during  the  Revolution.  She 
followed  the  fortunes  of  her  husband  and 
was  captured  at  Saratoga  when  Burgoyne 
surrendered.  The  Baroness  kept  a  diary, 
wdiich  was  afterward  published  in  the  Ger- 
man language.  This  journal  was  translated 
into  English  and  pulilished  in  America  in 
1867.  The  story  of  her  experience  after 
her  capture  reads  like  a  romance  of  the 
Middle  Ages.  During  her  captivit}',  she 
twice  passed  through  York  and  on  her 
return  from  Virginia  spent  several  days  in 
York  with  her  three  little  daughters  and  a 
retinue  of  attendants.  A  condensed  story 
of  her  experience  is  herewith  given : 

The  Baroness  Riedesel  was  present  at  the 
first  engagement  at  Saratoga  and  was  near 
her  husband  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight.  She 
heard  the  rattle  of  musketry,  and  the  boom 


THE    RI-:\'OLUTIOX 


239 


of  cannon,  and  when  the  fighting  ended  took 
care  of  the  wounded.  After  the  battle  a 
large  calash  was  built  to  convey  herself,  her 
three  children,  and  her  two  servants,  and 
in  this  vehicle  she  followed  the  army  in  the 
midst  of  the  soldiers,  who  were  merrily 
singing  songs  and  hurrahing  with  a  desire 
for  victory. 

"\Miile  passing  through  the  American 
camp  in  my  calash  after  the  surrender," 
says  the  Baroness,  "none  of  the  American 
soldiers  cast  at  us  scornful  glances,  even 
showing  compassion  on  their  countenances 
at  seeing  a  mother  with  her  little  children  in 
such  a  situation.  \\'hen  I  approached  the 
-tents,  a  noble  looking  man  came  toward  me, 
took  the  children  out  of  the  wagon,  em- 
braced and  kissed  them  and  then  with  tears 
in  his  eyes  helped  me  also  to  alight.  His 
tenderness  toward  my  children  and  myself 
inspired  me  with  courage.  He  then  led  me 
to  the  tent  of  General  Gates,  with  whom  I 
found  Generals  Burgoyne  and  Philips,  con- 
ferring about  the  capitulation. 

"I  then  learned  that  this  noble 

Dined        man,  who  led  me    to    the    tent. 

With  was  the  American  General 
Schuyler.  Schuyler,  who  had  preceded 
Gates  in  the  command  of  the 
American  army.  Schuyler  invited  me  to 
dine  at  his  own  tent  and  I  then  learned  that 
this  noble-hearted  man  was  a  husband  and 
father.  I  afterwards  met  his  wife  and 
daughters  in  Albany.  One  of  his  daughters 
married  Alexander  Hamilton." 

The  Baron  and  Baroness  Riedesel  mo\'ed 
with  the  prisoners  from  Albanj^  to  Boston, 
riding  in  their  calash.  They  occupied  a 
comfortable  home  at  Cambridge  for  a  year 
while  arrangements  were  made  to  remove 
the  prisoners  to  Virginia. 

The  cause  of  this  order  was  the  declara- 
tion of  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  then  in  command 
of  the  British  at  New  York  City,  that  since 
the  Convention  troops  (those  who  sur- 
rendered at  Saratoga)  were  not  acknowl- 
edged as  such,  but  looked  upon  in  the  same 
light  as  ordinary  prisoners  of  war,  he  was 
no  longer  disposed  to  forward  provisions  to 
them,  or  pay  the  "exorbitant  bills  of  the 
Americans,"  consequently  Congress  must 
maintain  the  prisoners  itself.  .As  the  coun- 
try in  the  vicinity  of  Boston  was  very  de- 
ficient in  provisions,  the  Convention  troops 
were  accordingly  sent  to  Virginia,  which  it 


was  thought  would  be  better  able  to  furnish 
the  needful  supplies. 

The  keeping  of  the  German  colors  were 
entrusted  to  the  Baroness  at  Cambridge. 
During  the  time  she  remained  there  she  had 
them  concealed  within  a  mattress.  The 
.\mericans  thought  they  had  been  destroyed 
at  Saratoga,  but  some  time  later  this  mat- 
tress was  forwarded  to  Halifa.x,  and  when 
the  Baroness  was  set  free,  in  1782,  she  took 
the  mattress  with  her  to  her  native  land. 

"In  the  month  of  November,  1778,"  says 
the  Baroness,  "when  the  prisoners  were 
ordered  to  Virginia,  my  husband  purchased 
a  pretty  English  wagon  so  that  we  were 
enabled  to  travel  easily  with  my  three 
daughters,  Gustava,  Frederika  and  Caro- 
line. Gustava  entreated  Captain  Edmons- 
ton,  one  of  my  husband's  adjutants,  not  to 
leave  us  on  the  way.  He  gave  his  promise 
and  faithfull}'  kept  it.  I  traveled  with  the 
army  on  the  way  to  Virginia.  An  old 
Yager,  who  acted  as  driver,  together  with 
the  captain  guided  our  vehicle  over  the 
almost  impassable  roads.  My  provisions 
and  baggage  were  carried  in  a  wagon  which 
followed  the  servants.  Upon  reaching  the 
Hudson  River  at  Fishkill,  we  lodged  at  the 
house  of  a  boatman.  After  crossing  the 
river  and  going  a  distance,  my  husband, 
children  and  both  my  maidservants  re- 
mained eight  days  at  the  home  of  Colonel 
Osborn,  a  wealthy  planter,  in  order  to  give 
our  troops  time  to  cross  the  river,  which,  on 
account  of  the  scarcity  of  boats,  was  very 
tedious.  Our  third  stopping  place  after 
leaving  Colonel  Osborn  was  at  the  house 
of  a  German.  At  another  time  we  had  our 
quarters  for  the  night  at  the  home  of  Colo- 
nel Howe.  Before  we  crossed  the  Blue 
Mountains,  in  Virginia,  we  made  a  further 
halt  of  eight  days  that  our  troops  might 
have  time  to  collect  again. 

"Meantime  such  a  great  quantity 
Down        of    snow    fell    that    two    of    our 
in  servants     were     obliged    to    go 

Virginia,  before  my  wagon  on  horseback 
in  order  to  make  a  path  for  us. 
On  our  journey  through  Pennsylvania, 
Maryland  and  Virginia,  we  passed  through 
a  picturesque  country  which,  however,  by 
reason  of  its  wildness,  inspired  us  with  ter- 
ror. We  arri\ed  at  Colle.  near  Charlottes- 
ville, in  the  middle  of  February,  1779,  where 
my  husband,  who  had  gone  ahead  with  our 


240 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


troops,  awaited  us  with  impatient  longing. 
yiy  husband  built  a  large  house  at  Cole,  two 
hours'  ride  from  the  prisoners  quartered  at 
Charlottesville.  The  house  cost  him  one 
hundred  guineas.  In  the  summer  of  1779, 
we  received  word  that  General  Philips  and 
my  husband,  with  their  adjutants,  had  per- 
mission to  go  to  New  York  in  order  to  be 
exchanged.  My  husband  handed  over  the 
charge  of  the  German  troops  to  General 
Specht.  He  then  proceeded  northward  with 
General  Philips  and  I  set  out  to  meet  him 
at  York,  Pennsylvania.  Before  leaving  Vir- 
ginia, Mrs.  Carroll  sent  me  an  invitation  for 
me  to  visit  her  at  her  home  in  Maryland.  I 
determined  to  accept  her  courtesies.  She 
resided  near  the  town  of  Baltimore,  which. 
I  was  told,  was  very  pretty  and  inhabited 
by  many  amiable  families.  We  remained  as 
her  guests  eight  days  and  were  hospitably 
entertained. 

"While  moving  toward  York,  Pennsyl- 
vania, from  Baltimore,  we  were  overtaken 
in  a  forest  by  a  violent  thunderstorm.  A 
trunk  of  a  tree  broke  and  fell  between  the 
carriage  box  and  the  horses.  Here  we  sat 
fast  aground,  and  could  not  stir  from  the 
place,  as  none  of  our  servants  were  strong 
enough  to  move  the  tree  from  the  spot 
where  it  had  fallen.  In  the  meantime,  it 
thundered  fearfully;  the  lightning  struck  in 
several  places  round  about  us ;  and  another 
and  larger  tree  threatened  to  crush  us.  I 
could  only  urge  the  ser\'ants  to  disengage  us 
from  the  jam,  but  the  coachman,  who  was 
completely  bewildered,  assured  me  it  was 
impossible.  At  last,  my  little  Gustava,  who 
was  at  that  time  only  eight  years  old,  said, 
'Only  unhitch  the  horses,  and  put  them  be- 
hind the  wagon,  and  you  can  draw  it  back- 
wards.' This  suggestion  was  immediately 
acted  upon,  and  every  one  asked  the  other 
why  that  idea  had  not  occurred  to  them 
likewise. 

"So  finally  we  arrived  happily  at 

The  York,  in  Pennsylvania,  where  we 

Baroness  found  my  husband,  who  had 
in  York,  been  very  much  w^orried  about 
us  on  account  of  the  vivid  light- 
ning. \\'e  rode  through 'a  magnificent  coun- 
try." 

The  "Memoirs"  of  Baron  Riedesel  says: 
"Upon  reaching  York  with  General  Philips, 
whom  he  had  met  on  the  w^ay,  the  Baron 
found  that  his  wife  had  arrived  a  few  davs 


before  him.  After  encountering  many  dan- 
gers that  brave  woman,  with  her  children, 
had  reached  the  place  a  few  days  earlier  and 
had  thus  had  an  opportunity  of  enjoying  a 
little  rest,  which  she  very  much  needed." 

"From  York,"  says  the  Baroness,  "we 
pursued  our  journey  through  beautifully 
cultivated  country  regions  and  arrived 
safely  at  Elizabeth,  New  Jersey.  We  ex- 
pected to  cross  over  to  New  York  the  same 
evening  and  be  restored  to  our  freedom,  but 
while  seated  at  dinner,  an  officer  from 
Washington  arrived  with  a  letter  ordering 
us  to  return  to  Bethlehem,  Pennsylvania, 
as  Congress  had  refused  to  ratify  the  ex- 
change. The  eyes  of  General  Philips,  who 
was  by  nature  very  passionate,  fairly  scintil- 
lated with  rage.  In  a  fit  of  anger  he  struck 
the  table  with  his  fist.  I  was  like  one  petri- 
fied and  could  not  utter  a  word." 

In  obedience  to  the  order,  they  returned 
to  Bethlehem,  remaining  there  until  the  lat- 
ter part  of  November,  when  they  were 
allowed  to  enter  the  British  lines  in  New 
York  City.  General  Riedesel  and  his  wife 
remained  there  several  months,  and  March 
7,  1780,  she  gave  birth  to  her  fourth 
daughter.  Says  the  baroness  in  her  diary : 
"We  had  intended,  in  case  it  had  been  a  boy, 
to  call  the  child  Americus,  which  we  now 
exchanged  for  America."  General  Philips, 
General  Knyphausen  and  Colonel  Wurmb 
acted  as  sponsors  at  the  baptism  of  the 
child." 

DR.  JOHN  CONNOLLY. 

Dr.  John  Connolly,  a  romantic  character 
in  the  history  of  the  Revolution,  was  held  a 
prisoner  of  war  at  York  for  a  period  of  two 
years.  He  was  born  in  Lancaster  County 
in  1744,  son  of  John  Connolly,  a  surgeon  in 
the  British  service  in  America.  His  mother 
was  first  the  wife  of  James  Patterson,  the 
noted  Indian  trader,  at  Lancaster,  who, 
after  his  death  married  as  her  second  hus- 
band, Thomas  Ewing,  father  of  General 
James  Ewing,  of  York  County,  who  com- 
manded a  brigade  in  the  Flying  Camp. 
Surgeon  Connolly  was  her  third  husband. 
Dr.  John  Connolly,  their  son,  who  was  edu- 
cated as  a  physician,  was  a  man  of  vigor  and 
force,  ^^'hen  the  Revolution  opened  he  be- 
came a  loyalist,  and  at  the  suggestion  of 
Lord  Dunmore,  Governor  of  Virginia,  went 
to   Boston,   where  he   obtained   a  colonel's 


thl:  re\ull"i'1().\ 


-'41 


commission  from  General  Gage.  tlie  Britisli 
commander  at  that  port.  Owing  to  his 
alliance  with  Dunrnore,  who  was  also  a 
loyalist,  Connolly  was  induced  to  raise  a 
regiment  of  Tories  and  Indians  to  be  known 
as  the  Roj-al  Foresters.  \\'hile  passing 
through  Hagerstown,  Maryland,  with  a 
single  companion  on  his  way  to  the  western 
frontier  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  his 
command,  he  was  arrested.  His  captors 
found  in  his  saddlebags  his  commission.  He 
was  taken  to  Philadelphia  and  placed  in 
prison.  \\'hile  passing  through  York,  Con- 
nolly recorded  in  his  journal :  "On  the  sec- 
ond day  after  our  capture  we  arrived  at 
York,  where  a  committee  decided  that  we 
should  be  confined  in  a  room  in  the  county 
jail,  in  which  was  a  straw  bed.  little  cover- 
ing" and  no  fire.  The  new-made  soldiers  of 
York  were  then  so  fond  of  fife  and  drum 
that  they  entertained  us  all  night  with  this 
music.  The  next  morning,  January  i,  1776, 
we  were  conducted  to  the  tavern,  where  our 
horses  had  been  kept,  by  a  militar}-  guard 
with  a  drummer  beating  the  Rogue's 
March.  When  the  guard  which  brought  us 
here  from  Frederick  started  from  York,  the 
people  of  the  town  and  the  soldiers  ironic- 
ally complimented  us  with  many  wishes  of 
a  happ}'  new  year.  Great  numbers  of  the 
inhabitants  of  York  rode  with  us  until  we 
arrived  at  Wright's  Ferry,  the  home  of  my 
half  brother,  Colonel  James  Ewing,  who 
differed  from  me  in  political  affiliation,  for 
he  espoused  the  cause  of  the  colonies.  At 
Ewing's  request,  I  was  allowed  to  walk  on 
the  ice  with  him  in  crossing  the  Susque- 
hanna. After  less  than  a  year's  imprison- 
ment in  Philadelphia,  through  my  brother, 
James  Ewing,  wdio  had  become  a  general  in 
the  American  army,  I  was  released  upon  a 
temporary  parole  and  permitted  to  go  to  his 
home  in  York  County,  where  I  was  allowed 
to  go  five  miles  distant  for  exercise  to  re- 
cuperate my  health.  Here  I  was  sent  in 
November,  1776,  and  remained  two  months, 
when  I  was  again  remanded  to  prison,  but 
General  Ewing  again  came  to  my  rescue 
and  by  his  own  bond  I  was,  in  the  spring  of 
1777,  again  permitted  to  live  at  his  home 
on  parole.  I  continued  in  this  happy  situa- 
tion from  April  11  to  October  14,  1777. 
W'hen  Congress  moved  to  York,  the  Board 
of  ^^'ar,  believing  that  I  was  plotting 
against  the  go\ernment.  had  me  placed  in 


the  county  jail  at  York,  where  I  was  closely 
locked  up  and  all  the  former  severity 
against  me  renewed.  The  York  jail  was  so 
crowded  witii  British  prisoners,  permanent 
and  transient,  that  a  contagious  fever  ap- 
peared." 

Connolly,  being  a  physician,  in  May,  177S, 
petitioned  Congress,  then  sitting  at  York, 
to  relieve  him  and  his  associates  from  this 
unsanitary  condition  of  affairs,  .\mong  the 
British  prisoners  who  signed  this  document 
with  Connolly  were  Richard  M.  Stockton, 
Charles  Harrison,  Asher  Dunham,  Robert 
Morrison  and  Francis  Frazer. 

Five  days  later  the  Board  of  \\'ar,  under 
instructions  from  Congress,  reported  that 
Thomas  Peters,  deput}'  commissary  of 
prisoners  at  York  and  Carlisle ;  Dr.  Henry, 
an  attending  surgeon,  and  Colonel  Picker- 
ing, a  member  of  the  Board  of  War,  had 
visited  the  York  jail  and  found  that  the 
statements  made  by  Connolly  and  his  asso- 
ciates were  exaggerated.  They  further 
mentioned  "that  Connolly  and  six  British 
officers  occupied  two  rooms  in  the  jail,  one 
fifteen  by  twenty  feet,  and  the  other  nearly 
as  large;  that  they  also  had  the  privilege  of 
the  jail  yard,  which  was  sixty  yards  long 
and  eighteen  yards  wide.  This  jail  is  used 
as  a  place  of  temporary  confinement  for 
passing  prisoners  and  is  not  now  crowded. 
There  are  only  nine  privates  in  the  jail, 
and  three  of  them  are  the  officers'  servants. 
The  jail  is  capable  of  holding  one  hundred 
and  sixty  prisoners.  Five  of  the  soldiers 
Iiave  light  fevers,  common  to  places  of  con- 
finement, but  their  disorders  are  not  con- 
tagious or  dangerous." 

Dr.  William  Shippen,  surgeon-general  of 
the  army,  while  on  a  visit  to  York,  had  ex- 
amined Connolly  during  his  imprisonment 
and  pronounced  him  a  hypochondraic  and 
not  responsible  for  his  statements.  This 
opinion  was  concurred  in  by  Colonel  Pick- 
ering and  the  rest,  but  Connolly  denied 
these  allegations  and  claimed  he  was  treated 
unfairly. 

.\fter  Congress  returned  to  Philadelphia, 
in  June,  1778,  Connolly  was  admitted  to 
parole  and  sent  to  that  city,  but  he  was 
afterward  remanded  to  prison,  where  he  re- 
mained until  nearly  the  end  of  the  war. 

-After  the  close  of  the  Revolution  he 
\isited  General  Ewing  upon  his  plantation. 
On  one  occasion,  in  an  unguarded  moment. 


16 


242 


HISTOID'    ()1-    YURlv   CUUXTV.    P1£XXSVL\'AXIA 


\\lien  seated  at  tlie  tal)le,  lie  boastfully  made 
the  remarkable  statement  that  the  British 
army  would  yet  come  down  from  Canada 
and  concjuer  the  United  States.  This  as- 
tounding remark  exasperated  Ewing,  who 
rose  from  his  chair  and  seized  Connolly  by 
the  throat.  The  two  men  were  separated 
by  the  appeals  of  Ewing's  wife.  Although 
holding  opposite  views  during  the  Revolu- 
tion and  thereafter,  there  always  existed  a 
bond  of  fraternal  union  between  Ewing  and 
his  half-brother.  Even  as  late  as  1798,  in 
an  attempt  to  recover  land  that  he  owned  at 
the  Falls  of  the  Ohio  River,  Connolly  at- 
tempted to  enlist  some  army  officers  in  a 
scheme  to  capture  Louisiana  and  set  up  a 
separate  government  in  the  West.  The  at- 
tention of  the  President  of  the  United  States 
was  called  to  this  plot  and  measures  were 
taken  to  prevent  its  execution.  Connolly 
died  in  Canada  at  an  advanced  age.  He  was 
an  adventurer  throughout  his  whole  life. 


CHAPTER  XVn 

REVOLUTION— Continued. 

Committee  of  Safety — Associators — Bio- 
graphical —  Historical  Notes  —  Muster 
Rolls — Pensioners. 

In  the  year  1774.  when  the  sentiment 
spread  throughout  America  in  opposition 
to  the  British  government  of  the  colonies, 
committees  of  correspondence  and  commit- 
tees of  safety  were  organized.  Li  May  of 
that  year,  Charles  Thomson,  by  order  of 
the  Committee  of  Safety  of  Philadelphia, 
sent  out  circular  letters  to  the  different 
counties  of  Pennsylvania,  asking  for  the 
sentiments  of  the  inhabitants  in  relation  to 
the  attitude  of  the  mother  country  toward 
the  colonies.  This  letter  also  asked  that 
delegates  should  be  chosen  from  York 
County  to  attend  a  provincial  conference  to 
be  held  at  Philadelphia,  June  15,  1774. 

Li  response  to  this  letter  a  meet- 
First  ing  was  held  in  York,  presided 
Meeting  over  by  Michael  Swope,  who 
in  afterwards    commanded  _  a    regi- 

York.        ment  of  Y'ork  County  troops  in 

the  Revolution.  This  meeting 
decided  to  concur  with  the  sister  colonies 
in   anv  constitutional  measures   in  order  to 


obtain  redress,  and  recognized  the  j^eople  of 
Boston  as  "sufl:"ering  in  the  common  cause 
of  liberty."  It  was  resolved  that  every 
township  in  Y'ork  County  send  delegates  to 
meet  in  convention  on  the  4th  of  July  fol- 
lowing. A  committee  of  thirteen  was  then 
appointed  for  the  town  of  Y'ork.  June  28, 
the  Philadelphia  Committee  of  Safety 
transmitted  to  the  committee  of  thirteen  in 
York,  resolutions  passed  by  the  Provincial 
Conference  assembled  in  State  House 
Square  on  June  18.  This  Provincial  Con- 
ference had  recommended  that  the  com- 
mittees appointed  in  the  different  counties 
or  such  number  of  them  as  thought  proper, 
meet  in  Philadelphia  at  the  time  the 
Provincial  Assembly  should  convene.  On 
account  of  the  Indian  disturbances,  John 
Penn,  governor  of  Pennsylvania,  liad  called 
a  meeting  of  the  Pro\incial  Assembly  for 
July  18.  The  committees  of  the  several 
counties  thus  assembling  in  Philadelphia  at 
the  same  time  as  the  Provincial  Assembly 
met,  could  then  frame  and  prepare  such 
matters  for  submission  to  the  Assembly  as 
might  be  thought  proper  and  expedient. 

In  accordance  with  this  request,  James 
Smith,  Joseph  Donaldson  and  Thomas 
Hartley  were  sent  as  deputies  from  Y'ork 
County  to  the  Provincial  Conference,  which 
had  been  announced  to  assemble  at  Phila- 
delphia on  July  15,  three  days  before  the 
Pro\incial  Assembly  met  pursuant  to  the 
call  of  Governor  Penn.  James  Smith  was 
appointed  a  member  of  a  committee  to  pre- 
pare a  petition  to  the  Provincial  Assembly 
to  appoint  delegates  to  attend  a  Continental 
Congress  of  representatives  from  all  the 
colonies  in  America.  This  Congress  met  in 
Philadelphia,  September  5,  1774,  in  Car- 
penter's Hall.  Among  the  members  of  this 
illustrious  body  were  George  Washington, 
Patrick  Henry,  John  Adams,  Samuel 
Adams,  John  Jay,  and  John  Rutledge.  This 
Congress  agreed  upon  a  Declaration  of 
Rights,  and  after  discussing  other  meas- 
ures, adjourned  to  meet  in  Philadelphia  on 
the  loth  of  May,  1775. 

On  December  16,  1774,  the  freeholders 
of  Y'ork  County  met  at  the  Court  House  for 
the  purpose  of  electing  a  Committee  of 
Safety,  which  was  composed  of  one  or  more 
representatives  from  every  township  in  the 
county.  The  following  is  a  list  of  the  per- 
sons chosen : 


THE    REVOLUTIOX 


243 


HcMiry  Slagle, 
Joseph  Donaldson, 
George  Eichclbergcr. 
George   Irwin, 
John    Hay, 
Archibald  McClcan. 
David  Grier, 
David  Kennedy. 
Thomas   Fisher. 
John  Kean, 
John   Houston. 
George  Kuntz, 
Simon  Coppenhaffer, 
Joseph  Jefferies, 
Robert   McCorlcy, 
Michael   Hahn, 
Baltzer  Spanglcr. 
Daniel   Messerly, 
Nicholas  Bittinger, 
Michael  Davis, 


Jacob  Doudel. 
Frederick   Fischcl. 
James    Dickson. 
William  McClellan, 
William  Cathcart, 
Patrick  Scott. 
Michael   Doudel, 
Michael  Bard, 
Casper   Reinecker, 
Henry  Liebhard, 
John   Maxwell. 
George  Oge, 
John  O.  Blcncs. 
William  Dill. 
Henry  Banta.  Sr.,  t^ 
William  Kilmary, 
William   Chesney, 
Francis   Holton, 
Peter  Reel. 
Andrew  Finlev. 


On  Decemljer  17,  the  Committee  met  at 
tlie  Court  House  and  organized  by  electing 
James  Smith,  chairman ;  Thomas  Hartley, 
vice-president;  John  Hay,  treasurer,  and 
George  Lewis  Lefler,  secretary.  At  this 
meeting  the  committee  prepared  rules  for 
the  transaction  of  business,  laid  plans  for 
raising  money  to  be  sent  to  the  unfortunate 
people  of  Boston,  whose  rights  had  been 
trampled  upon  by  the  English  government, 
and  then  adjourned  until  December  29.  On 
December  22.  1774,  a  letter  was  received 
from  the  Committee  of  Safety  in  Philadel- 
phia requesting  that  the  local  committees 
in  Pennsylvania  send  delegates  to  a 
Provincial  Convention  to  be  held  in  Phila- 
delphia, January  23,  1775,  in  order  that 
these  delegates  might  discuss  questions 
relating  to  the  common  defence  of  the  peo- 
ple in  Pennsylvania  and  the  other  colonies. 
James  Smith,  Thomas  Hartley.  John  Hay, 
George  Eichelberger,  Joseph  Donaldson, 
George  Irwin  and  Michael  Smyser  were 
chosen  by  the  committee  to  represent  York 
County  in  the  proposed  convention.  When 
this  Provincial  Conference  met  at  Philadel- 
phia, on  January  22,  they  resolved  that  this 
Convention  heartily  approved  of  the  con- 
duct and  proceedings  of  the  Continental 
Congress,  wiiich  had  alread\-  held  a  ses- 
sion. 

In  April,  1775,  James  Smith,  chairman  of 
the  Committee  of  Safety,  addressed  a 
patriotic  letter  to  the  committee  at  Boston 
and  forwarded  the  sum  of  246  pounds  for 
tiie  relief  of  the  suffering  people  of  that 
city. 

I'he  term  Associators  \vas  ap])lied  to 
patriotic  citizens  of  Pennsylvania  who 
1)anded  together  earlv  in  the  I'^exnlution  to 


protect  themselves  against  the  alleged 
tyranny  of  the  English  government,  of 
which  they  were  subjects.  The  love  of 
liberty  seems  to  have  been  inborn  with  our 
ancestors  before  the  struggle  for  indepen- 
dence had  begmi.  Persecutions  in  Europe 
had  led  the  Scotch  from  the  north  of  Ire- 
land, the  Germans  from  the  Palatinate,  the 
Pietists  from  Germany  and  Switzerland  to 
come  to  this  province  because  its  founder 
had  offered  freedom  of  conscience  and  a 
liberal  government. 

After  the  close  of  the  Erench  and  Indian 
war,  peace  and  prosperity  reigned  through- 
out York,  Cumberland,  Westmoreland  and 
Bedford,  then  called  the  frontier  counties, 
embracing  all  the  region  west  of  the  Sus- 
quehanna River.  W  ithin  a  few  years  York 
and  Cumberland  had  become  densely  popu- 
lated, each  containing  about  twenty-live 
thousand  settlers,  who  were  clearing  the 
primeval  forests,  cultivating  the  valuable 
lands  and  hunting  the  wild  game  which  was 
alnmdant  everywhere. 

As  a  result  of  the  Indian  in- 
Expert  cursions  and  their  experience  a^ 
Riflemen,  hunters,  these  sturdy  pioneers 
had  become  expert  riflemen. 
When  they  heard  the  news  from  Xew  Eng- 
land and  the  other  colonies  that  measures 
would  be  taken  to  resist  the  tyranny  of 
England,  our  ancestors  in  York  County 
were  (|uick  to  respond.  .Militia  companies 
had  been  in  existence  before  1750,  and  three 
companies  from  York  County  had  partici- 
pated as  Provincial  troops  in  the  French 
and  Indian  war.  They  had  been  sworn  into 
the  British  service  to  protect  their  home^ 
against  the  hostile  invaders  and  finrdly 
drove  them  back  to  the  Ohio  Valley. 

The  military  spirit  had  decreased  for 
sexeral  years,  until  the  patriots  of  York 
County  heard  of  the  difficulties  at  Boston. 
James  Smith,  the  leading  member  of  the 
York  Bar,  in  May,  1774,  was  sent  as  a  dele- 
gate to  the  Provincial  Conference,  which 
was  held  at  Carpenter's  Hall.  Philadelphia. 
From  the  time  he  had  heard  of  the  disturbed 
state  of  affairs  in  Massachusetts,  James 
Smith  was  one  of  the  foremost  in  this  prov- 
ince to  advocate  armed  resistance  against 
the  mother  country.  He  presented  his 
arguments  with  force  and  eloquence  to  the 
Conference,  which,  however,  adopted  con- 
ciliatorv  measures. 


244 


IIISTURV    OF   YORK   COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


Immediately  after  his  return  to 
The  York,  this  ardent    advocate    of 

First  American     liberty     began     the 

Company,  organization  of  the  first  mili- 
tary company  in  Pennsylvania 
for  the  purpose  of  opposing  British  oppres- 
sion. James  Smith  was  chosen  captain  of 
this  company;  Thomas  Hartley,  first  lieu- 
tenant; David  Grier,  second  lieutenant; 
Henry  [Miller,  ensign.  The  commanding 
officer  became  a  signer  of  the  Declaration  of 
Independence  and  his  subordinates  all  won 
distinction  in  the  American  army.  The 
non-commissioned  officers  and  privates 
^vere  composed  of  the  leading  citizens  of 
the  town  and  county.  They  met  regularly 
for  drill  and  discipline,  being  armed  with 
rifles  for  complete  training  in  the  art  of  war. 

Meantime  the  first  Continental  Congress 
had  met  at  Carpenter's  Hall,  September  5, 
1774,  and  although  this  body  agreed  upon 
a  declaration  of  rights,  and  sent  a  petition 
to  the  king,  it  did  not  urge  armed  resist- 
ance against  the  mother  country.  The  mili- 
tary spirit,  however,  was  rife  throughout 
York  Count}^,  \\'hicli  embraced  the  area  now 
included  in  .Vdanis,  and  within  a  short  time 
other  companies  of  Associators  were 
formed.  On  February  14,  1775,  the  local 
Committee  of  Correspondence,  at  a  meet- 
ing held  in  the  Court  House  at  York,  re- 
corded that  there  were  several  companies  of 
Associators  within  the  limits  of  the  count\' 
engaged  in  military  drill  and  discipline 
similar  to  the  one  at  York.  It  further 
stated  that  the  conunanding  officers  were 
willing  to  disband  these  companies  if  their 
existence  was  not  agreeable  to  the  com- 
mittee. James  Smith  being  chairman,  de- 
clared in  open  meeting  and  had  it  recorded 
that  the  committee  would  not  discourage 
the  martial  spirit  of  these  Associators 
throughout  York  County,  but  on  the  con- 
trary reported:  "we  are  of  the  opinion  that 
said  Associators  if  trained  with  prudence, 
moderation  and  a  strict  regard  to  good 
order,  under  the  direction  of  a  man  of 
probity  and  understanding,  would  tend 
much  to  the  security  of  this  country 
against  the  attempts  of  our  enemies." 

The  news  from  Lexington  and  Concord 
where  the  British  had  attacked  the  militia 
of  Massachusetts,  stimulated  the  military 
ardor  of  the  .'\ssociators  in  York  County, 
and  it  reached  the  higliest  point  of  tension 


when  these  patriots  heard  of  the  battle  of 
Bunker  Hill,  June  17,  1775.  Immediately 
after  the  news  was  brought  to  York 
County,  the  military  company  conunanded 
l)y  Captain  Michael  Doudel,  with  Lieuten- 
ants Miller,  Dill  and  Matson,  began  the 
march  to  join  the  patriot  army  under  Wash- 
ington around  Boston.  The  career  of  this 
company  is  told  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 

'I'he  Revolution  had  now  opened  and  all 
of  the  thirteen  colonies  were  in  a  condition 
of  rebellion.  This  state  of  affairs  brought 
about  a  meeting  of  the  Pennsylvania  As- 
sembly, June  30,  1775,  which  by  this  time 
had  become  a  patriotic  body.  INIany  of 
those  in  favor  of  the  British  crown  had  re- 
tired. The  Assembly  approved  the  organ- 
ization of  Associators  and  passed  resolu- 
tions agreeing  in  case  of  invasion  to  provide 
for  necessar}'  pay  of  officers  and  soldiers 
performing  military  duty  while  in  active 
service.  It  recommended  that  the  Board  of 
Commissioners  and  Assessors  in  each 
county  provide  a  number  of  muskets  or 
rifles  with  bayonets,  cartridge  boxes  large 
enough  for  twenty  rounds,  and  knapsacks. 
Three  hundred  were  asked  for  the  Count}- 
of  York.  Every  county  was  requested  to 
select  a  number  of  Minute  Men  equal  to  the 
number  of  arms,  and  to  be  in  readiness 
upon  the  shortest  notice  to  march  to  any 
quarter  in  case  of  emergency. 

Saturday  of  each  week  was  set  apart  for 
military  drill.  The  average  number  of  men 
in  a  company  was  eighty,  rank  and  file. 
The  company  could  not  go  outside  of  Penn- 
sylvania without  the  vote  of  the  majority  of 
the  officers  and  men. 

Immediately  after  the  first  company  of 
volunteers  under  Captain  Doudel  and  Lieu- 
tenant Miller  began  the  march  to  Boston 
to  join  the  army  under  Washington,  the  As- 
sociators began  to  organize  for  defensi\-e 
operations  in  case  their  services  were 
needed.  A  meeting  of  the  local  Committee 
of  Safety  and  officers  of  the  Associators  was 
held  in  the  county  Court  House  at  York, 
July  28th  and  29th,  1775.  It  was  presided 
over  by  James  Smith.  Under  the  authority 
of  this  meeting,  York  County  was  divided 
into  five  military  districts. 

The  associated  companies  then 

Battalions     already  formed  in  the  town  of 

Organized.     York    and    tlie    Townships    of 

Hellam,  Windsor,  JManchester, 


THE  REVOLUTIOX 


245 


York  and  Codorus,  were  organized  into  the 
first  Ijattalion  of  York  County  .\ssociators 
under  the  command  of  James  Smith,  as 
colonel;  Thomas  Hartley,  lieutenant-colo- 
nel: Joseph  Donaldson  and  Michael  Swopc. 
majors. 

The  second  battalion  was  formed  from 
associated  companies  in  the  region  of  what 
is  now  part  of  Adams  County,  including  the 
Townships  of  Cumberland,  Hamilton  Ban, 
Straban,  Menallen.  ^It.  Joy  and  Tyrone, 
with  Robert  McPherson,  colonel:  David 
Kennedy,  lieutenant-colonel;  and  Moses 
McClean  and  Hugh  Dunwoodie,  majors. 

The  third  battalion  was  formed  from  as- 
sociated companies  in  Heidelberg,  Berwick, 
Paradise.  Mt.  Pleasant,  ^Manheim  and  Ger- 
many Townships,  with  Richard  AIcAllister, 
colonel;  Henry  Slagle,  lieutenant-colonel; 
John  Andrews  and  Joseph  Jeffries,  majors. 

Tlie  fourth  battalion  ^\•as  formed  from  the 
associated  companies  in  Chanceford, 
Shrewsbury,  Fawn  and  Hopewell  Town- 
ships, with  William  Smith,  colonel;  Francis 
Holton,  lieutenant-colonel;  and  John  Gib- 
son and  John  Finley,  majors. 

The  fifth  battalion  was  formed  from  the 
associated  companies  in  Dover.  Xewberry, 
Monaghan,  \\'arrington,  Huntingdon  and 
Reading  Townships,  with  \\'illiam  Rankin, 
colonel;  Matthew  Dill,  lieutenant-colonel; 
Robert  Stevenson  and  Gerhart  Graefif, 
majors. 

At  this  same  meeting  for  the  or- 
Minute  ganization  of  battalions  of  Asso- 
Men.  ciators,  under  the  authority  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Conference,  a  bat- 
talion of  Minute  Men  was  organized  with 
Richard  ]ilc.\llister,  colonel;  Thomas  Hart- 
lew  lieutenant-colonel,  and  David  Grier, 
major.  This  battalion  was  composed  of  five 
companies,  one  from  each  military  district 
of  the  county.  Each  company  of  Minute 
Men  was  composed  of  a  captain,  two  lieu- 
tenants, four  sergeants,  four  corporals,  an 
ensign,  a  drummer  and  sixty-eight  or  more 
privates.  These  Minute  Men  were  volun- 
teers from  the  five  battalions  of  Associators. 
one  company  from  each  battalion.  The 
week  following  this  historic  meeting  in  the 
provincial  Court  House  at  York,  the  differ- 
ent companies  were  formed  and  banded 
themselves  together  to  be  ready  at  a  mo- 
ment's warning  to  take  the  field  in  defence 
of  their  rights  and  liberties. 


The  Associators  and  Minute  Men  of  York 
Coimty  who  had  already  subscribed  to  the 
voluntar}-  articles  of  association  for  de- 
fensive purposes,  and  which  were  the  first 
prepared  in  any  province  or  colony  in  the 
country,  accepted  thirty-two  articles  of  as- 
sociation recommended  by  the  Pennsyl- 
\ania  Conference,  August  12,  1775.  These 
articles  provided  for  every  contingency  that 
might  arise  to  the  troops  if  called  into 
active  service.  They  were  read  in  the 
presence  of  each  company,  after  which 
officers  and  privates  gave  their  solemn 
attestation.  The  preamble  to  these  articles 
reads  as  follows : 

"We,  the  ofticers  and  soldiers  engaged 
in  the  present  association  for  the  defence 
of  American  liberty,  being  fully  sensible 
that  the  strength  and  security  of  any  body 
of  men,  acting  together,  consists  in  just 
regularit}'.  due  subordination  and  exact 
obedience  to  command,  without  wdiich  no 
indi\'idual  can  have  that  confidence  in  sup- 
port of  those  about  him  that  is  so  necessary 
to  giye  firmness  and  resolution  to  the  whole, 
do  voluntarily  and  freely,  after  consider- 
ation of  the  following  articles,  adopt  the 
same  as  the  rules  by  which  we  agree  and 
resolve  to  be  governed  in  all  our  military 
concerns  and  operations  until  the  same,  or 
any  of  them,  shall  be  changed  or  dissolved 
by  the  Assembly,  or  Provincial  Convention, 
or  in  their  recess  by  the  Committee  of 
Safety,  or  a  happy  reconciliation  shall  take 
place  between  Great  Britain  and  tlit- 
Colonies." 

On  August  I.  Colonel  James  Smith,  com- 
mander of  the  first  battalion  of  Associators 
and  chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Cor- 
respondence and  Obserxation  for  York 
County,  addressed  a  letter  to  the  delegates 
in  Continental  Congress  from  Pennsyl- 
vania. This  Congress  had  convened  in 
Philadelphia  on  May  10.  on  the  day  when 
Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point  had  been 
captured  by  Ethai*  .\llen.  As  recorded  in 
the  Pennsylvania  .\rchives,  Colonel  Smith 
asked  an  opinion  as  to  how  the  committee 
should  proceed  with  those  citizens  who  for 
conscience'  sake  were  opposed  to  bearing 
arms.  The  following  day.  Michael  Swopc. 
of  York,  who  was  a  member  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania Committee  of  Safety,  wrote  to 
John  Dickinson,  at  Philadelphia,  president 
of  the  Committee.     In  this  letter  the  writer 


>46 


HISTom"    ()1 


COUNT V,    PEXXSYLVAXIA 


reports   the   success   of   a   meeting  held   at 


W  illiani    Irvine,   of  Carlisle, 


was  prompt. 

York  in  julv;  he  asked  that  the  officers  was  commissioned  colonel  to  oro-anize  and 
chosen  to  command  the  companies  of  Asso-  command  the  Sixth  Battalion  of  Pennsyl- 
ciators  and  Minute  Men  recei\e  commis-  vania  \'olunteers,  largely  composed  of 
sions,  thus  giving  them  proper  authority  to  troops  from  west  of  the  Susquehanna, 
perform  their  military  dtities.  Captain  Closes  McClean  recruited  and  corn- 
By  this  time  in  the  history  of  affairs  manded  one  of  the  companies  from  York 
which  brought  forth  the  war  for  indepen-  County  \\'hich  joined  Irvine's  battalion,  and 
dence  there  were  fifty-three  battalions  of  Captain  David  Grier  the  other.  The 
Associators  in  Pennsjdvania.  It  must  be  muster  rolls  of  these  two  companies  and 
understood  that  the  incidents  herein  the  part  taken  by  these  troops  in  the  first 
described  took  place  one  year  before  the  Canada  expedition  will  be  found  in  the 
Declaration  of  Independence,  when  Penn-  chapter  on  that  subject  in  this  volume, 
sylvania  was  still  a  province  and  the  As-  Thomas  Hartley,  a  member  of  the  York 
sembly  not  acting  under  a  constitution.  County  Bar,  was  commissioned  lieutenant- 
which  was  adopted  in  1776,  when  this  prov-  colonel  of  this  battalion.  He  was  then 
ince  became  one  of  the  thirteen  original  twenty-six  years  of  age. 
states.  The  remaining  troops  all  over 
On  September  14,  the  local  committee  Committee  York  County  continued  to 
from  this  county  reported  to  Benjamin  of  Safety.  practice  the  manual  of  arms 
Franklin  and  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  with  their  flintlock  muskets. 
Pennsylvania,  that  the  number  of  Associ-  They  were  imbued  with  the  military  spirit 
ators  in  York  County  was  3,349.  Accord-  and  continued  to  prepare  themselves  to 
ing  to  this  report  there  were  in  July  pre-  take  an  active  part  in  the  war  which  had 
ceding  nine  hundred  non-associators  in  this  opened  with  so  much  energy  and  defiance 
county,  who  were  opposed  to  bearing  arms,  to  the  mother  country.  ^Meantime  a  new 
Meantime  some  of  these  had  voluntarily  Committee  of  Safety  and  Observation  was 
joined  the  military  companies  and  became  elected  by  a  popular  vote  throughout  the 
loyal  to  the  cause  of  independence.  The  county.  Only  men  interested  in  protecting 
liattalions  in  York  County,  according  to  the  the  rights  of  the  colonies  were  chosen, 
committee's  statement,  did  not  contain  an  There  were  several  members  from  each  of 
equal  number  of  men,  but  none  of  them  had  the  twenty-six  townships.  The  following 
fewer  than  five  hundred.  The  first  three  are  the  names: 
battalions  were  large  enougli  for  regiments. 
The  men  appointed  to  command  these  com- 
panies were  generalh'  efficient.  The  dis- 
cipline of  the  companies  was  not  all  the 
same,  so  this  committee  suggested  if  any 
weve  to  be  called  into  service  it  would  be 
\\'ell  to  call  otit  those  who  were  best  trained 
in  the  manual  of  arms  and  in  military 
practice. 

It  will  thus  be  seen  that  the  Associators 
west  of  the  Susquehanna  were  preparing 
themselves  for  anj-  emergencv.  The  com- 
panv  that  had  volunteered  ear'lv  in  Julv  had-^?=''^'"  ^pangler, 

,     '    ,                                        I     r          '                           ,  John  Houston, 

already    won    a    record    for    courage    and  Thomas  Armor 

marksmanship  in  Thompson's  battalion  in 
A\'ashington's  army,  at  Boston. 

When  it  was  decided  by  Continental 
Congress,  in  the  winter  of  1775-6.  to  send 
an  expedition  to  in\'ade  Canada,  two  com- 
panies were  ordered  to  be  recruited  for  that 
service  from  the  associated  battalions  of 
York  County.     The    response    to    this    call 


Michael   Swope, 
James  Smith, 
Thomas  Hartley, 
John  Hay, 
Charles  Lukens, 
David  Grier, 
Joseph  Donaldson, 
George  Irwin, 
John  Kean, 
William  Lease, 
William  Scott. 
George  Eichelberger, 
Philip  Albright, 
Michael  Hahn, 
David  Candler, 


John   Schultz, 
Christopher  Slagle, 
Andrew  Rutter, 
Peter  Wolfe, 
Philip  Jacob  King, 
Zachariah   Shugart, 
John  Herbach, 
William  Johnston, 
John  Spangler, 
James  Dickson, 
Francis  Cazart, 


George  Brinkerhoff, 
John  Semple, 
Robert  McPlierson, 
Samnel  Edie, 
William  McClellan, 
1  homas  Donglass, 
John  Agnew, 
David  Kennedy, 
George  Clingen, 
George  Kerr, 
Abraham  Banta,  — 
John  Mickle,  Jr., 
Samnel  McConaughy, 
David  McConaughy, 
John  Blackburn, 
William  Walker, 
Richard  McAllister, 
Christian  Graff, 
Jacob  Will, 
Henry    Slagle, 
John  Hamilton, 
John  Montieth, 
Thomas  Lilly, 
Richard  Parsel, 
Charles  Gelwix, 
John  ]\IcClure, 
William  Shakly. 
Frederick  Gelwix, 
John   H  inkle. 


THE    REVOLUTION 


247 


John  Hoover, 
Patrick  McSherry," 
James  Lceper, 
Joseph  Reed, 
Patrick  Scott, 
James  Edgar, 
Benjamin  Savage, 
Andrew  Thompson,  . 
Peter  Baker, 
Jacob  Kase!, 
John  Wilhams, 
'Wilham  Mitchell, 


Lewis  Williams, 
William  Rankin, 
James  Xailer, 
Haltzer  Knertzer, 
Henry  Mathias, 
George  Stough, 
Daniel  Messerly, 
John  X^esbit, 
William  Wakely, 
John  Chamberlain, 
Andrew  Thompson, 
Alexander  Sanderson. 


The  British  army,  after  having  been 
driven  out  of  Boston  by  the  Americans 
under  Washington,  proceeded  to  Halifax. 
Xova  Scotia.  When  Congress  heard  that 
this  army  was  about  to  threaten  New  York, 
it  asked  for  2,000  troops  from  Pennsylvania. 
A  regiment  under  Colonel  Sainuel  ]\Iiles 
was  organized  at  Philadelphia.  One  com- 
•  pany  was  called  for  from  York  County. 
This  company  was  recruited  from  dififerent 
battalions  of  Associators  and  was  placed  in 
conmiand  of  Philip  Albright  as  captain: 
John  Thompson,  first  lieutenant ;  Cornelius 
Sheriff,  second  lieutenant ;  William  Mc- 
Pherson,  second  lieutenant ;  Jacob  Stair, 
third  lieutenant.  This  company  joined  the 
regiment  in  June  and  the  story  of  its 
service  is  given  in  the  history  of  Colonel 
^files'  regiment,  found  in  this  volume. 

During  the  first  years  of  the  war,  many 
of  the  patriots  of  the  Revolution  were  only 
seeking  for  what  they  termed  the  rights  of 
the  colonies,  but  as  England  was  sending 
more  troops  to  this  country  for  the  purpose 
of  conquering  the  Americans  now  in  the 
field,  the  spirit  of  independence  prevailed 
throughout  the  colonies  from  New  Hamp- 
shire to  Georgia.  On  July  4,  1776,  by  a 
majority  vote  in  Continental  Congress,  the 
Declaration  of  Independence  was  adopted. 
Pennsylvania  was  no  longer  a  province 
under  the  English  government.  She  was  in 
the  centre  of  the  thirteen  original  states, 
and  when  the  war  had  ended  was  the  key- 
stone of  the  arch  vmder  which  the  American 
troops  marched  when  they  were  mustered 
out  of  service.  Philadelphia  was  to  become 
the  first  seat  of  government  of  the  new-born 
Republic  of  the  United  States.  The  five 
battalions  of  Associators  in  York  County 
continued  to  drill  and  discipline  more  fre- 
quently than  they  had  done  before  Congress 
had  declared  the  states  free  and  indepen- 
dent. They  had  company  drill  at  the  regu- 
lar parading  ground  selected  by  the  captain, 
and  twice  a  month  all  the  companies  of  a 


battalion  met  and  drilled  at  one  place  under 
the  command  of  the  colonel.  The  war  spirit 
was  rife  throughout  the  state  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  in  every  section  of  York  County. 

The  climax  came  when  the  Brit- 
Called       ish  threatened  to  capture  the  city 
Into        of  New  York.     Sir  William  Howe 
Service,     was    now    in    command     of     the 

enemy's  troops  and  had  received 
many  recruits  from  across  the  ocean.  In 
order  to  supply  all  protective  measures  pos- 
sible, on  July  5,  1776,  the  day  after  the 
Declaration  of  Independence  had  been 
voted  upon,  a  committee  of  Congress  held 
a  conference  with  the  Pennsylvania  Com- 
mittee of  Safety,  and  the  field  officers  of  the 
five  battalions  of  Associators  then  organ- 
ized in  Philadelphia.  At  this  meeting  reso- 
lutions were  adopted,  urgently  requesting 
that  the  entire  force  of  Associators  in  Penn- 
sylvania, in  all,  fifty-three  battalions,  "who 
can  be  furnished  with  arms  and  accoutre- 
ments be  forthwith  requested  to  march 
with  the  utmost  expedition"  to  Trenton  and 
New  Brunswick  in  the  State  of  New  Jersey. 
These  troops  were  to  remain  in  the  service 
until  a  Flying  Camp  composed  of  10,000 
men  could  be  organized  in  the  field,  and 
placed  under  the  command  of  General 
Hugh  Mercer,  a  bosom  friend  of  Washing- 
ton. On  the  same  day,  Congress  approved 
what  had  been  done  and  "recommended  to 
the  good  people  of  Pennsylvania  to  carry 
their  purposes  into  execution  with  the  same 
laudable  readiness  which  they  have  ever 
manifested  in  supporting  the  injured  rights 
of  their  country."  This  news  was  soon 
brought  west  of  the  Susquehanna  and  cir- 
culated throughout  York  County. 

There  are  no  official  reports  which  give 
the  historian  the  privilege  of  describing  in 
detail  how  these  five  battalions  of  associ- 
ated militia  from  this  county  congregated  at 
their  appointed  places  and  began  the  march 
toward  Philadelphia  and  Trenton.  Every 
flintlock  musket  or  rifle  available  was 
brought  into  requisition  and  given  to  these 
patriots  who  had  answered  the  call  of  their 
country  for  the  common  defence  of  the 
nation,  which  had  just  declared  its  indepen- 
dence. 

Michael  Swope  took  command  of 
Going  the  battalion  which  had  been 
to  the  drilled  by  James  Smith,  who  had 
Front,     been  elected  to  Congress,  and  be- 


248 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUXTY.    PEXXSYLVA'NIA 


came  a  signer  of  the  immortal  ileclara- 
tion.  Robert  McPherson,  who  then  re- 
sided near  the  site  of  Gettysburg,  marched 
toward  York  with  the  Second  Battalion. 
Richard  McAllister,  who  was  also  com- 
mander of  the  Minute  Alen,  came  with  the 
Third  Battalion  from  Hanover  and  vicinity. 
\\'illiam  Smith,  with  the  Fourth  Battalion, 
from  the  lower  end  of  the  county,  crossed 
the  Susquehanna  at  McCall's  Ferry  and  pro- 
ceeded to  Lancaster,  where  he  afterward 
met  the  other  battalions  on  the  march. 
William  Rankin  came  from  Newberry  and 
adjoining  townships  with  the  Fifth  Bat- 
talion. If  they  all  obtained  firelocks  and 
the  necessary  equipment,  there  were  at  least 
2.500  professional  men,  tillers  of  the  soil 
and  tradesmen,  who  crossed  the  Susque- 
hanna and  began  the  march  to  Philadelphia 
and  Trenton  in  the  midsummer  days  of 
July,  1776,  shortly  after  the  Declaration  of 
Independence  had  been  read  in  front  of  the 
Court  House  at  York. 

"On  July  7,"  says  the  pastor  of  the 
IMoravian  Church  in  his  diary,  "strict  orders 
came  that  all  Associators  of  this  county 
should  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to 
march  to  the  front." 

In  answer  to  the  call  for  troops,  York 
County  responded  with  the  five  battalions, 
the  advance  reaching  Philadelphia  July  16. 
From  thence  they  proceeded  to  Perth  Am- 
boy,  near  the  city  of  New  York,  and  during 
the  succeeding  month  two  regiments  were 
formed  out  of  these  battalions  of  Associ- 
ators. They  composed  the  First  and 
Second  Pennsylvania  Regiments  of  the 
Flying  Camp,  whose  history  will  be  found 
in  another  chapter  of  this  book. 

The  Associators  who  had  not 
Proof  of  enlisted  in  the  Flying  Camp  in 
Patriotism,  accordance  with  the  act  of 
Congress,  after  receiving  the 
pay  of  troops  in  the  Continental  service, 
were  permitted  to  return  home.  It  seems 
that  a  sufficient  numl:)er  had  enlisted  for  the 
immediate  demands  of  the  army.  The 
object  in  calling  the  entire  militia  force  of 
the  state  for  one  month  had  a  double  pur- 
pose. It  supplied  sufficient  men  for  the 
Flying  Camp,  and  at  that  early  period 
proved  the  courage  and  patriotism  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Associators  in  the  cause  of 
independence. 

The  .\ssociators  A\'ho  returned  home  kept 


up  their  organizations  and  continued  their 
military  drill  and  discipline,  expecting  that 
they  might  soon  again  be  called  into  the 
service.  After  the  battle  of  Long  Island, 
which  was  succeeded  by  the  disaster  to  the 
American  arms  at  Fort  Washington,  the 
British  held  New  York  City.  Succeeding 
these  events  \\'ashington,  with  his  depleted 
army,  retreated  across  New  Jersey  and 
when  Philadelphia  was  threatened  by  the 
invading  foe,  there  was  another  call  for 
troops.  The  Pennsylvania  Council  of 
Safety  requested  the  Board  of  War  to  sta- 
tion more  troops  for  the  defence  of  Phila- 
delphia. The  object  of  this  move  was  not 
only  to  protect  the  city  against  the  invading 
foe,  but  to  menace  the  adherents  to  the 
Crown  known  as  Tories,  who  lived  in  Phila- 
delphia and  the  surrounding  country.  It 
was  then  ordered  that  two  Virginia  battal- 
ions, the  German  battalion,  four  companies 
of  Marines,  and  500  Associators  from  each 
of  the  counties  of  York,  Cumberland,  Lan- 
caster and  Berks  be  called  into  the  service 
and  placed  under  the  command  of  General 
Stephen  for  the  defence  of  Philadelphia. 

Thomas     Wharton,     president     of 

Mifflin      Pennsylvania,     on     December    23, 

at  issued  an  address  which  appealed 

York.      to    every    friend    of    his    country. 

Meantime,  General  Thomas  Mif- 
flin, the  "fighting  Quaker"  of  the  Revolu- 
tion, was  requested  by  the  State  Assembly 
to  make  a  tour  of  Pennsylvania.  He  made 
speeches  in  every  section  of  the  state, 
arousing  the  patriotism  of  the  people  by  his 
fascinating  eloquence.  He  came  to  York 
and  also  visited  Carlisle.  In  both  of  these 
towns  he  stirred  up  so  much  enthusiasm 
that  an  early  chronicler  was  constrained  to 
say  "the  quota  from  the  back  counties  was 
easily  raised."  In  fact  the  loyalty  to  the 
union  of  states  in  the  interior  counties  was 
much  more  pronounced  than  in  the  city  of 
Philadelphia. 

This  alarming  call  was  the  result  of  the 
defeat  of  A\^ashington  around  New  York 
City  and  the  retreat  of  his  army  across 
New  Jersey.  The  term  of  enlistment  of 
some  of  his  soldiers  had  ended.  The  Flying 
Camp,  which  had  enlisted  for  the  term  of 
six  months,  would  end  January  i,  but  many 
of  this  gallant  band  of  soldiers  were  per- 
suaded to  remain  in  the  service  for  a  longer 
time.     A\'ithin   a  few  da^'s,  three  thousand 


THE   RE\'OLUTIOX 


249 


Associators  from  the  interior  of  Pennsyl- 
vania arrived  in  the  city  of  Phihidelphia  and 
were  placed  in  command  of  Cadwalader 
and  Ewing,  then  guarding  the  Delaware 
River  from  Trenton  to  Philadelphia.  Al- 
though not  active  participants,  they  were 
present  at  Trenton  and  Princeton,  im- 
portant victories  in  the  American  cause. 

When  it  was  feared  the  British  would 
again  attack  Philadelphia  in  the  spring  of 
1777,  the  Supreme  Executive  Council,  in  a 
proclamation  of  the  9th  of  April,  after 
stating  the  causes  of  alarm  and  calling  upon 
the  people  to  prepare  for  defence,  used  this 
language : 

"This  city  lias  once  been  saved  by  the 
vigorous,  manly  efforts  of  a  few  brave  As- 
sociators, who  generously  stepped  forward 
in  defence  of  their  country ;  and  it  has  been 
repeatedly  and  justly  observed,  and  ought 
to  be  acknowledged  as  a  signal  evidence  of 
the  favor  of  Divine  Providence  that  the 
lives  of  the  associated  militia  in  every  Ijattle 
during  this  just  war  have  been  remarkably 
spared.  Confiding,  therefore,  in  the  con- 
tinuance of  His  blessing,  who  is  indeed  the 
God  of  Armies,  let  every  man  among  us 
hold  himself  ready  to  march  into  the  field 
whenever  he  shall  be  called  upon  to  do  so." 
With  the  passage  and  promulga- 
State  tion  of  the  new  militia  law,  the 
Militia.  Associated  Battalions  as  such 
ceased  to  exist.  The  days  of  the 
Associators  had  passed  away  and  the  Penn- 
syl\-ania  militia  came  upon  the  stage  of 
action.  It  was  naturally  anticipated  that 
greater  thoroughness  in  discipline  would  be 
the  result,  yet  this  was  never  realized.  Al- 
though the  militia  served  well  in  the  cam- 
paign around  Philadelphia,  September, 
1777,  yet  their  duties  were  afterward 
chiefly  confined  either  in  protecting  the 
frontiers,  standing  sentinel  while  the  back- 
woodsman sowed  his  grain  and  reaped  his 
harvest,  or  in  guarding  prisoners  of  war. 
The  influence  of  the  Associators  was  never- 
theless felt  throughout  the  contest  for  in- 
dependence. 

At  the  next  session  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Assembly,  a  special  act  was  passed  relating 
to  the  militia  of  the  state.  The  act  pro- 
vided for  the  division  of  York  County  into 
six  districts  for  the  purpose  of  keeping  the 
militia  organizations  in  practice  ready  for 
service.     Each  countv  of  the  state  was  re- 


quired to  have  at  least  640  militia,  armed 
and  equipped  and  ready  for  military  duty. 
Tiie  organization  of  the  county 

Militia  militia  was  in  ciiarge  of  a  lieu- 
Organized,  tenant  and  in  each  district  a 
sub-lieutenant  was  appointed. 
This  law  went  into  force  in  March,  1777. 
Richard  Mc.Vllister,  who  had  commanded  a 
regiment  in  the  Flying  Camp,  was  ap- 
pointed lieutenant  of  York  County.  Hance 
Morrison,  Robert  Stevenson,  John  Hay, 
James  McCandless  and  John  Carson  were 
appointed  sub-lieutenants.  It  was  the  duty 
of  the  sub-lieutenants  to  carry  out  all  the 
provisions  of  the  act  and  see  that  at  least 
640  men  in  his  district  between  the  ages  of 
18  and  50  should  receive  the  proper  military 
drill  so  as  to  be  trained  in  the  art  of  war. 
All  persons  enrolled  who  failed  to  be 
present  at  muster  without  cause  were  fined 
7  shillings  and  6  pence.  There  were  eight 
companies  in  a  district.  Each  company 
was  required  to  drill  at  least  two  days  eacli 
month.  The  companies  met  at  regular  in- 
tervals for  battalion  drill.  The  militia 
forces  of  the  state  were  then  placed  under 
the  command  of  Brigadier-Generals  John 
Armstrong,  John  Cadwalader.  James  Pot- 
ter and  Samuel  Meredith.  In  June,  Arm- 
strong was  made  the  major-general  and 
James  Irvine  was  appointed  additional 
brigadier,  in  August. 

As  early  as  April  25,  1777,  President 
AMiarton,  by  advice  of  Continental  Con- 
gress and  the  Board  of  War,  ordered  at 
least  500  militia  from  the  different  counties 
of  the  state  to  rendezvous  at  Bristol  and 
Chester,  to  be  in  readiness  for  the  enemy  if 
they  attempted  to  attack  Philadelphia. 

On  May  i,  1777,  Colonel  Richard  McAl- 
lister wrote  to  President  Wharton  that  he 
had  just  finished  dividing  York  County  into 
military  districts.  It  was  difficult  to  raise 
tlie  quota  of  640  men  required  for  each  dis- 
trict. He  assured  Mr.  A\"harton  that  he  had 
not  lost  one  hour  in  organizing  the  militia, 
nor  would  he  until  the  work  was  thor- 
oughly done.  On  May  7,  President  Whar- 
ton acknowledged  the  receipt  of  McAl- 
lister's letter,  assuring  the  latter  that  he 
felt  confident  that  he  was  performing  his 
duty  to  his  utmost  a1)ility.  He  requested 
that  a  report  of  tlie  election  of  officers  for 
each  battalion  be  forwarded  in  order  that 
commissions  for  these  of^cers  might  be  sent 


2qo 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUXTY,   PEXXSYLVAXIA 


to  Colonel  McAllister  for  distribution.  As 
soon  as  he  learned  the  movements  of  the 
enemy,  Wharton  stated  that  he  would  in- 
form McAllister  of  the  condition  of  affairs, 
so  that  he  might  be  able  to  furnish  the 
quota  of  men  required  from  York  County. 

June  14,  the  Supreme  Executive  Council 
of  the  state  sent  a  circular  letter  requesting 
the  county  lieutenants  to  forward  to  the 
seat  of  war  the  militia  of  the  first  class,  and 
to  have  in  readiness  those  of  the  second 
class  for  active  service. 

July     4,      McAllister     wrote     to 
Trouble     President    Wharton     from     Han- 

in  over,    stating  that   he   had   great 

Raising  difBculty  in  getting  the  battalions 
Troops,  together  for  military  practice. 
Some  of  the  officers  elected  were 
unsatisfactory  and  others  would  not  serve. 
He  stated  that  there  was  a  lack  of  arms  in 
York  County  necessary  for  the  troops  either 
for  drill  or  active  service  in  the  field,  and 
urged  that  the  state  supply  the  necessary 
arms.  This  worked  against  his  ability  to 
forward  the  troops  as  rapidly  as  expected. 

On  July  28,  Continental  Congress,  upon 
receiving  the  news  of  the  movement  of 
Howe's  army  from  New  York  toward 
Philadelphia,  asked  the  State  of  Pennsyl- 
vania to  furnish  4,000  troops  from  the 
organized  militia  within  the  state.  Each 
county  was  requested  to  send  one  class  of 
the  militia. 

It  will  be  seen  from  these  numerous  calls 
for  troops  the  disturbed  condition  of  affairs 
in  Pennsylvania  during  this  crucial  period 
of  the  Revolution.  Most  of  the  militia  of 
York  County  at  this  time  belonged  to  the 
agricultural  classes.  Some  of  them  were 
Quakers,  who,  according  to  their  religion, 
were  non-combatants.  Still  another  class 
were  Germans  who  had  sworn  allegiance  to 
the  government  of  England  when  they  set- 
tled in  York  County  and  other  sections  of 
Pennsylvania.  When  General  Howe  landed 
in  N'ew  York  after  the  battle  of  Long  Island 
he  had  offered  a  general  amnesty  to  all 
Americans  who  were  willing  to  adhere  to 
the  British  crown.  There  were  many  Ger- 
mans serving  in  the  British  army  at  this 
period,  and  German  emissaries  were  sent 
out  among  the  people  of  that  nationality 
throughout  Pennsylvania,  urging  them  to 
oppose  the  militia  laws.  This  caused  a 
great  difficultv  in  York  and  other  counties 


of   the   state   which   contained    German   in- 
habitants. 

On  August  28.  1777.  Colonel  Richard  Mc- 
Allister wrote  to  President  Wharton  that 
there  were  dissensions  among  the  Associ- 
ators  in  the  German  townships  near  Han- 
over. Two  hundred  freemen  had  assembled 
at  one  place  for  the  purpose  of  opposing  the 
draft  of  tlie  militia  for  service  in  the  field. 
He  continued  by  saying  that  he  had  lived 
in  peace  among  these  people  for  twenty 
years  or  more,  and  knew  well  their  customs 
and  habits,  but  it  was  very  difficult  to  in- 
duce them  to  take  up  arms  against  the 
country  to  which  they  had  sworn  allegiance. 
He  said  that  notwithstanding  the  ditficulties 
lie  liad  encountered  in  the  prosecution  of 
his  duties  as  lieutenant  of  York  County,  he 
had  marched  five  companies  to  the  front 
fully  armed  and  equipped,  in  answer  to  the 
recent  call,  and  would  soon  have  three  more 
companies  ready  to  take  up  the  march  for 
the  army.  In  this  letter  McAllister  stated 
that  in  two  or  three  companies  all  of  the 
men  were  substitutes,  except  five  or  six. 
He  obtained  substitutes  for  the  sum  of  $40, 
while  in  Cumberland  County  from  $100  to 
$110  were  paid  to  induce  men  to  enlist  as 
substitutes. 

Early  in  the  summer.  Colonel  McAllister 
had  received  from  the  State  of  Pennsyhania 
the  sum  of  1,000  pounds  for  the  purpose  of 
carrying  on  his  work  and  was  charged  with 
the  same.  On  August  i,  the  sum  of  3,000 
pounds,  or  about  $15,000,  was  sent  to  him. 
This  money  was  used  to  equip  the  soldiers 
and  to  buy  substitutes  to  take  the  places  of 
those  who  refused  to  enter  the  army. 

Instead  of  crossing  New  Jersey  and  at- 
tacking Philadelphia,  as  anticipated.  Gen- 
eral Howe  set  sail  from  New  York  and 
came  up  the  Chesapeake  Bay,  landing  near 
Elkton,  Md.,  with  an  army  of  18,000  men. 
At  this  alarming  period  of  the  war.  Presi- 
dent Wharton,  of  Pennsylvania,  issued  a 
proclamation  to  the  people  of  the  state 
which  in  part  reads  as  follows: 

"The  time  is  at  length  come  in 
Appeal  which  the  fate  of  ourselves,  our 
to  Arms,  wives,  children  and  posterity 
must  be  speedily  determined; 
General  Howe,  at  the  head  of  a  British 
army,  the  only  hope,  the  last  resource  of 
our  enemy,  has  invaded  this  state,  dis- 
missing his  ships  and  disencumbering  him- 


rill^  REVOLUTION 


self  of  his  heav)-  ai"tiller_\-  and  baggage,  he 
appears  to  have  risked  all  upon  the  event  of 
a  movement  which  must  either  deliver  up 
to  plunder  and  devastation,  this  capital  of 
Pennsylvania  and  of  America,  or  forever 
blast  the  cruel  designs  of  our  implacable 
foe.  Blessed  be  God,  Providence  seems  to 
have  left  it  to  ourselves  to  determine 
whether  we  shall  triumph  in  victory  and 
rest  in  freedom  and  peace,  or  by  tamely 
submitting,  or  weakly  resisting,  deliver  our- 
selves up  a  prey  to  an  enemy. 

"The  foe  is  manifestly  aiming,  either  by 
force  to  conquer,  or  by  strategem  and  stolen 
marches  to  elude  the  vigilance  of  our  brave 
commander,  declining  a  battle  with  our 
countrjnnen,  they  have  attempted  to  steal 
upon  us  by  surprise.  They  have  been 
hitherto  defeated,  but  numbers  are  abso- 
lutely necessary  to  watch  them  on  every 
quarter  at  once. 

"The  neighboring  states  are  hurrying 
forward  their  militia,  and  we  hope  by  rising 
as  one  man,  and  besetting  the  foe  at  a 
distance  from  his  fleet,  we  shall  speedily 
enclose  him  like  a  lion  in  the  toils. 

"The  Council  therefore  most  humbly  be- 
seech and  entreat  all  persons  whatsoexer,  to 
exert  themselves  Avithout  delay,  to  seize 
this  present  opportunity  of  crushing  the 
foe,  now  in  the  bowels  of  our  countr\%  by 
marching  forth  instantly  under  their  re- 
spective officers,  to  the  assistance  of  our 
great  general,  that  he  may  be  able  to  en- 
viron and  demolish  the  only  British  army 
that  remains  formidable  in  America.  Ani- 
mated with  the  hope  that  Heaven,  as  before 
it  has  done  in  all  times  of  difficulty  and  dan- 
ger, will  again  crown  our  righteous  efforts 
with  success,  we  look  forward  to  the  pros- 
pect of  seeing  our  insulting  foe  cut  off  from 
all  means  of  escape  and,  by  the  goodness  of 
the  .Almighty,  the  Lord  of  Hosts  and  God 
of  Battles,  wholly  delivered  into  our 
hands." 

The  first  and  second  classes 
At  of  militia  had  already  been 

Brandywine       called  out  during  the  early 
and  summer  of  1777.     After  the 

Germantown.  proclamation  had  been  cir- 
culated, the  third  class  had 
been  ordered  to  the  seat  of  war.  Similar 
calls  were  made  from  other  counties  in  the 
state.  They  marched  to  join  AX'ashington's 
ami}'  near  Philadelphia    and    were    placed 


under  General  .\rmslrong,  who  commanded 
the  extreme  left  of  the  American  army  at 
the  battle  of  Brandywine.  .-Mthough  not 
actively  engaged  in  the  battle.  Armstrong 
and  his  Pennsylvania  militia  remained  on 
the  heights  below  Chad's  Ford  and  were 
witnesses  to  the  battle.  After  the  defeat, 
Armstrong  retreated  to  Chester  and  then 
moved  with  Washington  to  Philadelphia. 
Li  the  battle  of  Germantown,  the  Pennsyl- 
vania militia  took  a  prominent  part.  They 
behaved  with  gallantry  in  this  engagement 
as  well  as  in  the  spirited  skirmishes  at 
Chestnut  Hill,  \\'hite  Marsh  and  Crooked 
Billet  Tavern.  In  the  affair  at  White 
Alarsh,  Colonel  James  Thompson,  of  Hope- 
well Township,  who  commanded  a  battalion 
of  York  County  men,  was  wounded  and  car- 
ried off  the  field  on  a  horse  by  General 
James  Potter,  then  commanding  a  brigade 
of  Pennsylvania  militia. 

After  the  campaign  of  1778,  which  re- 
sulted in  the  victory  at  Monmouth,  Xew 
Jersey,  the  Pennsylvania  militia  west  of  the 
Susquehanna  was  utilized  in  guarding  the 
northern  and  western  frontiers  from  the 
ravages  of  hostile  Indians,  who  had  been 
incited  by  British  emissaries  to  disturb  the 
quietude  of  white  settlers  in  this  region.  A 
battalion  of  York  County  militia,  in  1779, 
under  command  of  Colonel  Philip  Albright, 
was  marched  to  Standing  Stone,  the  site  of 
Huntingdon,  Pennsylvania,  and  quartered 
there  for  several  months. 

When  the  seat  of  war  was  transferred  to 
the  South,  and  Pennsylvania  was  no  longer 
in  danger  of  invasion  by  the  British,  the 
state  militia  spent  most  of  their  time  at 
home,  awaiting  the  result  of  the  war. 
When  Burgoyne's  army  was  marched  from 
Boston  to  Virginia  in  December.  1778.  a 
regiment  of  York  County  militia  took 
charge  of  these  4,500  British  and  Hessians 
and  marched  them  to  Charlottesville,  where 
they  were  held  for  three  years.  After  the 
return  of  these  prisoners  to  Pennsylvania, 
two  or  three  companies  of  local  militia,  at 
stated  times,  guarded  about  1.800  prisoners, 
kept  in  a  stockade  in  Windsor  Township, 
four  and  a  half  miles  southeast  of  York.  In 
1781,  when  Cornwallis  moved  northward 
toward  \'irginia  and  threatened  to  land  at 
Annapolis,  Maryland,  and  send  a  division 
to  release  the  prisoners  at  York,  Lancaster 
and  Reading,  a  part  of  the  militia  force  was 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY,    PEXXSYLVAXIA 


called  out  and  stationed  along  the  west 
bank  of  the  Susquehanna,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  William  Scott,  who  was  lieutenant 
for  York  Count3^ 

After  the  close  of  the  war,  in  1783.  tlie 
militia  system  was  in  force  for  more  than 
half  a  century. 

COLONEL  JAMES  THOMPSON,  who 
commanded  the  first  battalion  of  York 
County  militia  at  Germantown  and  AVhite 
]\Iarsh,  was  born  in  Sadsbury  Township, 
Lancaster  County,  in  1745.  He  grew  to 
manhood  in  his  native  county  and  in  1773 
was  married  to  Lydia,  daughter  of  Robert 
Bailey.  Soon  after  his  marriage  he  re- 
mo\-ed  to  the  southern  section  of  York 
County,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  He 
became  prominently  identified  with  the 
Round  Hill  Church,  in  Hopewell  Township. 
Shortly  after  the  opening  of  the  Revolution 
he  appeared  before  his  l)rother,  Andrew 
Thompson,  one  of  the  court  justices  for 
York  County,  and  took  the  oath  of  alle- 
giance and  fidelity  to  the  government  of  the 
L'nited  vStates.  He  served  as  a  lieutenant 
in  the  Pennsylvania  Line  and  was  promoted 
for  meritorious  services.  In  September, 
1777,  when  the  Pennsylvania  militia  was 
called  into  acti\-e  service  to  aid  in  opposing 
the  British  army  under  Howe  from  its 
approach  to  Philadelphia,  James  Thompson 
was  commissioned  colonel  of  the  First  Bat- 
talion of  the  A^ork  County  troops.  This 
battalion  was  placed  in  the  brigade  of 
Pennsyhania  militia  commanded  by  Briga- 
dier-General Potter,  and  served  in  the  cam- 
paign around  Philadelphia  during  the  fall 
of  1777. 

Colonel  Thompson  was  se\-erely  wounded 
in  an  action  at  White  Horse  Tavern,  near 
Philadelphia,  and  was  carried  from  the 
field  by  General  Potter,  on  the  latter's 
horse,  to  the  brigade  surgeon  for  treatment. 
After  recuperating  from  his  wound.  Colonel 
Thompson  returned  to  his  home  in  A'ork 
County,  where  he  served  during  the  next 
year  as  purchasing  agent  for  the  govern- 
ment. In  1779  he  was  chosen  a  member,  to 
represent  York  County,  in  the  Supreme 
Executive  Council  of  Pennsjdvania.  Some- 
time after  the  Revolution  he  removed  to 
Sadsbury  Township,  where,  in  association 
with  his  brother-in-law.  Colonel  John 
Steele,  he  built  a  grist  mill  and  a  paper  mill 
on  the  (_)ctorara  Creek.     Thev  conducted  a 


considerable  business  here  for  twenty  years 
or  more.  Late  in  life.  Colonel  Thompson 
removed  to  the  Chester  County  side  of  the 
Octorara,  where  he  died  October  3,  1807, 
at  the  age  of  62  vears. 

MAJOR  JOSEPH  DONALDSON,  of 
York  Comity,  was  a  native  of  the  Province 
of  Maryland,  born  August  16,  1742.  He 
located  in  the  southern  part  of  York 
County,  was  an  active  and  energetic  Whig, 
and  formed  one  of  the  Committee  of  Cor- 
respondence of  the  County,  to  succor  the 
Eostonians  at  the  time  of  the  going  into 
effect  of  the  "Port  Bill."  He  was  a  dele- 
gate to  the  Provincial  Deputies,  which  met 
July  15,  1774;  justice  of  the  peace  from  1774 
to  1776;  member  of  the  Provincial  Confer- 
ence of  January  23,  1775:  and  member  of 
the  Convention  of  July  15,  1776.  He  was  a 
major  of  the  First  Battalion  of  the  Associ- 
ators  of  York  County,  July,  1775,  and  was 
in  service  during  the  campaign  of  1776. 
On  the  8th  of  November,  1777,  he  was  ap- 
pointed one  of  the  commissioners  to  collect 
clothing  for  the  Continental  army.  Major 
Donaldson  died  at  York  about  1790.  For 
ten  years  he  was  a  partner  with  Wil- 
liam Harris  in  the  mercantile  business  at 
the  southeast  corner  of  Market  and  Water 
T  t  r  c  c  t  s 

COLONEL  HENRY  SCHLEGEL 
(SLAGLE)  was  born  in  Lancaster  County, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1735.  His  father,  Chris- 
topher Slagle,  of  Saxony,  came  to  Pennsyl- 
vania in  1713,  and  the  following  year  took 
up  a  large  tract  of  land  on  the  Conestoga 
Creek,  and  built  a  mill.  Subsequently  he 
transferred  his  interests  therein,  and  re- 
moved, in  1737,  west  of  the  Susquehanna, 
locating  near  the  present  site  of  Hanover, 
now  within  the  limits  of  Adams  County,  on 
Slagle's  Run,  a  branch  of  the  Little  Cone- 
wago.  Henry  was  one  of  four  sons,  Daniel, 
Jacob  and  Christopher,  and  followed  the 
occupation  of  his  father,  a  farmer  and 
miller.  He  was  commissioned  one  of  the 
pro\incial  magistrates  in  October,  1764, 
and  continued  in  of-fice  by  the  convention  of 
1776.  In  December,  1774,  he  served  on  the 
committee  of  inspection  for  York  County: 
commanded  a  battalion  of  Associators  in 
1779;  was  a  member  of  the  Provincial  Con- 
ference of  June  18,  1776,  and  of  the  subse- 
quent convention  of  the  I5tli  of  July.  He 
was  appointed  by  the  Assembly,  December 


THE   REVOLUTION 


253 


16,  1777.  (o  take  subscriptions  for  the  Con- 
tinental loan:  November  22,  1777,  acted  as 
one  of  the  commissioners  which  met  at 
New  Haven,  Connecticut,  to  regulate  the 
price  of  commodities  in  the  states.  He 
represented  York  County  in  the  General 
Assembly  from  1777  to  1779;  appointed 
sub-lieutenant  of  the  county,  -March  30, 
1780;  one  of  the  auditors  of  depreciation 
accounts  for  York  Cotmty,  March  3,  1781 ; 
member  of  the  Constitutional  Convention 
of  1789-90;  commissioned  by  Governor 
Miliflin.  one  of  the  associate  judges  of  York 
County,  August  17,  1791.  and  continued  as 
such  upon  the  organization  of  Adams 
County.  He  represented  the  latter  county 
in  the  Legislature,  sessions  of  1801-2. 
Colonel  Slagle  died  at  his  residence,  near 
Hanover;  his  remains  were  interred  in  the 
graveyard  adjoining  St.  Matthew's  Luth- 
eran Church.  The  various  offices  held  by 
him  show  conclusively  that  he  had  the  con- 
fidence of  the  community.  He  was  an 
ardent  patriot,  a  faithful  officer,  and  an  up- 
right citizen. 

XlEUTENANT-COLONEL  JOHN 
HAY,  of  the  Revolution,  was  born  in 
Alsace,  then  in  France,  about  1733.  His 
father.  John  Hay,  was  a  native  of  Scotland, 
who.  owing  to  the  religious  persecutions, 
emigrated  to  the  Province  of  Alsace,  sub- 
sequently coming  to  America,  bringing 
with  him  four  sons,  who  settled  in  Phila- 
delphia. Northampton,  and  York  Counties, 
Pennsylvania,  and  in  Virginia.  John  Hay, 
of  York  County,  was  naturalized  April  11, 
1760.  He  w-as  one  of  the  Provincial  mag- 
istrates; a  commissioner  of  the  county  from 
1772  to  1775;  member  of  the  Committee  of 
Correspondence  to  send  aid  to  the  people  of 
Boston  in  1774;  of  the  Provincial  Conven 


tion.    Tune 


'  /  /  .^  • 


First    Lieutenant    in 


Colonel  James  Smith's  Battalion  of  Asso- 
ciators,  December,  1775;  member  of  the 
Provincial  Conference  which  met  at  Car- 
penter's Hall,  June  18,  1776;  and  of  the 
Convention  of  July  15.  called  by  that  body. 
He  was  appointed  sub-lieutenant  of  the 
county  ^larch  12.  1777:  resigning  to  accept 
the  office  of  county  treasurer  in  1778,  filling 
that  position  almost  uninterruptedly  until 
1801.  He  represented  York  County  in  the 
Assembly  in  1779,  1782,^  1783.  and  1784. 
Colonel  Hay  was  the  owner  of  a  large  tract 
of  land  in  the  immediate  vicinitv  of  "N'ork, 


part  of  which  subsequently  became  incor- 
porated into  the  town  and  known  as  "Hay's 
Addition."  He  died  in  April,  1810.  His 
son,  Jacob,  was  a  corporal  in  Moylan's  cav- 
alrv  regiment  of  the  Revolution. 

COLONEL  ROBERT  McPHERSOX 
■was  the  only  son  of  Robert  and  Janet  Mc- 
Pherson,  who  settled  in  the  western  portion 
of  York  County,  in  the  fall  of  1738  on  the 
"Manor  of  Maske."  He  was  born  presum- 
abl}-  in  Ireland  about  1730.  and  was  a  youth 
of  eight  years  when  his  parents  became  a 
part  of  the  well-known  Marsh  Creek  settle- 
ment. He  was  educated  at  Rev.  Dr.  .Alli- 
son's school  at  New  London,  Chester 
County,  Pennsylvania,  which  academy  was 
afterward  moved  to  Newark,  Delaware,  and 
became  the  foundation  of  the  present  col- 
lege at  that  place.  His  father  died  Decem- 
ber 25,  1749,  and  his  mother  September  2},, 
1767.  In  175 1  he  married  Agnes,  the 
daughter  of  Robert  Miller,  of  the  Cumber- 
land Valley.  In  1755  he  was  appointed 
treasurer  of  York  County,  and  in  1756  a 
commissioner  of  the  county.  The  latter 
office  he  resigned  on  accepting  a  commis- 
sion as  captain  of  the  Third  Battalion  of  the 
Provincial  forces.  May  10,  1758,  serving 
under  General  Forbes  on  his  expedition 
against  Fort  Duquesne.  From  1762  to  1765 
he  was  sheriff  of  the  county,  and  from  1764 
to  the  begiiming  of  the  Revolution  was  a 
justice  of  the  peace  under  the  Proprietaries, 
serving  from  1770  as  president  justice  of  the 
York  County  Court,  and  was  re-commis- 
sioned a  justice  under  the  first  constitution 
of  the  state.  From  1765  to  1767  he  was  a 
member  of  the  Provincial  Assembly  and  in 
1768  was  appointed  county  treasurer  to  fill 
a  vacancy.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Pro- 
vincial Conference  which  met  at  Carpenter's 
Hall.  Philadelphia.  June  18,  1776;  and  was 
one  of  the  representatives  of  York  Count}' 
in  1776.  which  formed  the  first  constitution 
of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania.  .Vt  the  be- 
ginning of  the  \\'ar  for  Independence  he 
was  commissioned  a  colonel  of  the  York 
County  Battalion  of  Associators,  and  dur- 
ing that  and  the  following  year  he  was  in 
active  service  in  the  Jerseys  and  in  the  sub- 
sequent campaign  around  Philadelphia. 
.\fter  his  return  from  the  field  he  was  em- 
l)loyed  as  the  purchasing  commissary  of 
army  supplies  for  the  western  end  of  York 
County.     In   1779  he  was  one  of  the  three 


-'54 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY.    PEXXSYLVAXIA 


auditors  of  "confiscation  and  fine  accounts." 
From  1781  to  1785  he  served  as  a  member 
of  the  Assembly  of  the  State.  Colonel  Mc- 
Pherson  was  one  of  the  charter  members 
of  the  corporation  of  Dickinson  College, 
and  continued  to  act  as  trustee  until  his 
death,  on  February  19,  1789.  His  son,  W'il- 
liam  McPherson,  served  as  a  lieutenant  in 
Albright's  Company,  Aides'  Regiment,  in 
the  Revolution. 

COLONEL  MATTHE\V  DILL  was 
one  of  the  first  settlers  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
present  ,ito)wn  of  Dillsburg.  He  was  of 
Scotch-Irish  ancestry.  During  the  troubles 
immediately  before  the  French  and  Indian 
war,  he  was  one  of  the  five  commissioners, 
one  of  wdiom  was  Benjamin  Franklin,  ap- 
pointed to  make  a  treaty  with  the  Indians 
at  the  Croghan  fort,  which  was  located  near 
the  Susquehanna,  in  the  lower  end  of  Cum- 
berland County.  He  afterward  took  part 
in  the  French  and  Indian  war.  In  1749  he 
was  one  of  the  eight  justices  of  the  peace, 
and  justice  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas 
of  York  County.  He  died  before  the  Revo- 
lution. His  remains,  together  with  those 
of  many  of  his  descendants,  lie  in  the  family 
graveyard  a  few  hundred  yards  west  of 
Dillsburg,  this  county.  His  daughter  mar- 
ried Colonel  Richard  McAllister. 

Colonel  Matthew  Dill,  of  the  Revolution, 
was  a  son  of  Matthew  Dill.  In  October, 
1764,  he  was  appointed  justice  of  the  peace 
and  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  under  the 
colonial  go\ernment,  and  continued  in  the 
same  office  upon  the  adoption  of  the  consti- 
tution of  1776.  He  served  in  the  General 
Assembly  in  1777-8-9.  During  the  year 
1779  he  was  appointed  sub-lieutenant  of 
York  County,  to  organize  the  county 
militia,  and  on  March  30,  1780,  was  ap- 
pointed one  of  the  three  commissioners  to 
seize  the  personal  efifects  of  Tories  in  York 
County.  For  a  short  time  after  the  Revo- 
lution he  was  president  justice  of  the  Court 
of  Common  Pleas. 

MAJOR  ELI  LEWIS,  son  of  Ellis 
Lewis,  wdio  settled  in  Fairview  Township 
ii''  1735-  '^^'^s  born  in  Redland  Valley, 
Januar}^  31,  1750.  In  1775  he  became  the 
commander  of  a  company  of  Associators  in 
Newberry  and  Fairview  Townships.  In 
1776  he  marched  with  his  company  to 
join  the  Flying  Camp.  He  was  cap- 
tured   and    held    as    a    prisoner    of    war    in 


New  Vcjrk  City  and  Long  Island  for  sev- 
eral months. 

Major  Lewis  was  a  man  of  education  and 
in  1790,  when  Harrisburg  was  a  small  vil- 
lage, he  founded  The  Monitor  and  Weekly 
.-\d\ertiser,  the  first  newspaper  at  the  state 
capital. 

-After  General  St.  Clair  was  routed  by  the 
Indians  in  Ohio,  he  printed  and  published 
in  his  newspaper.  "St.  Clair's  Defeat,"  a 
poem  containing  literary  merit,  which  was 
widely  copied.  In  1798  Major  Lewis 
founded  the  town  of  Lewisberry.  Novem- 
ber 10,  1779,  he  married  Pamela  Webster, 
at  Londongrove  Friends  meeting  house, 
Chester  County.  Major  Lewis  died  at 
Lewisberry,  February  i,  1807.  The  re- 
mains of  Major  Lewis  and  his  wife  are 
buried  in  the  Friends  graveyard  at  New-- 
berrytown.  The  spot  has  recently  been 
marked  by  a  marble  tablet  and  surrounded 
b}'  a  stone  wall.  Among  their  children 
were  Ellis  Lewis,  who  became  chief  justice 
of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Pennsylvania : 
Webster  Lewis,  physician  at  Lewisberry : 
James,  a  member  of  the  bar  and  president 
of  the  York  bank;  Eli,  president  of  the 
First  National  bank  at  York. 

COLONEL  WILLIAM  RANKIN,  of 
York  County,  of  Quaker  parentage,  was  a 
natixe  of  England,  his  parents  coming  to 
this  country  when  he  was  very  young. 
Prior  to  the  Revolution  he  was  a  justice  of 
the  peace  of  the  Province,  and  located  near 
the  Susquehanna,  in  Fishing  Creek  \'alley, 
York  County.  Although  a  member  of  the 
A\'arrington  Monthly  Meeting,  he  became 
at  the  outset  of  the  Revolution  an  ardent 
Whig,  and  was  chosen  colonel  of  one  of  the 
York  County  Battalions  of  Associators. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Provincial  Confer- 
ence of  June  18,  1776,  and  of  the  Conven- 
tion of  15th  of  July  following.  By  the 
latter  body  he  was  continued  a  justice  of 
the  peace.  The  cause  of  Colonel  Rankin's 
defection  has  never  been  divulged,  but 
during  the  3'ear  1780  he  was  detected  in 
holding  a  traitorous  correspondence  with 
the  enemv,  and  in  March.-  1781,  he  was 
arrested  and  thrown  into  prison.  He 
escaped,  however,  from  the  York  jail,  when 
President  Reed  issued  a  proclamation 
offering  a  reward  for  his  apprehension. 
With  his  brothers,  John  and  James,  who 
had  also  turned  traitors  to  the  Colonies,  he 


RESIDENCE  OF  BALTZEK  SPANCLER.  A  PIONEER  SETTLER  NEAR  VORR 


FIRST  STONE  HOL'sE  IN  VoKlv  COUNTY,  BUILT  IN  1737 


THE    REVOLUTION 


■si> 


went  to  England,  but  whether  he  died  in 
exile,  w^e  have  not  been  able  to  ascertain 
His  property  was  partly  confiscated,  as  also 
that  of  his  brothers,  who  had  large  landed 
estates  in  York  County,  although,  through 
the  intervention  of  influential  friends,  a 
portion  was  saved  to  their  descendants 
who  remained  in  this  country.  These 
Tories  were  all  compensated  for  their  losses 
by  the  British  government. 

HISTORICAL  NOTES. 

The  following  items  arranged  in  chrono- 
logical order,  relate  to  interesting  facts  and 
incidents  of  the  Revolution: 

In  September,  1775,  the  Committee  of 
Safety  for  York  County,  of  which  James 
Smith  was  chairman,  sold  to  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Council  of  Safety,  forty-nine  quarter 
casks  of  powder,  weighing  1,225  pounds, 
and  3,770  pounds  of  lead,  and  a  supply  of 
arms  and  accoutrements,  receiving  559 
pounds,  6  shillings,  11  pence.  At  this  early 
date,  York  contained  a  depository  for 
munitions  of  war,  for  soon  after  the  Penn- 
sylvania Council  ordered  the  local  com- 
mittee to  forward  to  Colonel  Samuel  More- 
head,  of  Westmoreland  County.  500  pounds 
of  powder,  and  1,250  pounds  of  lead,  for  the 
use  of  militia  in  that  county.  These  trans- 
actions took  place  nearly  one  year  before 
the  Declaration  of  Independence,  when  the 
affairs  of  the  Province,  then  in  a  state  of 
rel)ellion  against  tlie  mother  country,  were 
controlled  b\"  the  Pennsylvania  Council  of 
Safety. 

Octol^er  12,  the  local  committee  sent 
from  the  magazine  at  York,  200  pounds  of 
gunpowder  and  600  pounds  of  lead,  to  the 
Committee  of  Safety  for  Northampton 
County.  About  this  time,  James  Smith 
notified  the  people  of  York  County  that 
they  should  not  waste  the  powder  and  lead 
for  it  would  be  needed  to  carry  on  the  war 
with  England. 

In  December,  Robert  Morris,  of  Phila- 
delphia, a  member  of  the  Continental  Con- 
gress, requested  the  Pennsylvania  Council 
of  Safety  to  supply  provisions  for  the 
women  and  children  of  the  British  troops, 
captured  at  St.  Johns,  Canada,  and  give 
directions  for  their  removal  to  Reading, 
York  and  Lancaster.  During  the  early  part 
of  the  war,  most  of  the  British  officers  and 


many  of  the  privates  brought  their  wives 
and  families  to  this  country. 

January  15,  1776,  Jasper 
Gunsmiths  Yeates,  of  Lancaster,  reported 
at  Work,  that  the  blankets  engaged  by 
Mr.  Hough,  in  York  County, 
for  the  public  service,  had  been  detained  on 
the  west  side,  owing  to  the  floating  ice  on 
the  river.  Soon  after  the  Revolution 
opened,  the  gunsmiths  began  to  make  fire- 
locks in  every  section  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
in  April,  1776,  the  Committees  of  Safety  for 
York,  Cumberland  and  Northampton  Coun- 
ties were  each  ordered  to  send  fifty-six 
flintlock  muskets,  the  same  number  of 
bayonets  and  powder  horns  to  Philadelphia. 
In  June,  Colonel  William  Rankin,  of  New- 
berry Township,  received  200  pounds,  or 
about  $1,000,  for  rifles  which  he  sold  to  the 
Pennsylvania  Cominittee  of  Safety. 

Early  in  July,  ten  British  prisoners  of  the 
company  commanded  by  Captain  Campbell 
were  brought  to  York.  These  prisoners 
were  fed  by  Elijah  Etting,  when  they  first 
arrived.  He  received  three  pounds,  fifteen 
shillings,  for  feeding  them  seven  days 
before  the}-  were  put  in  permanent  (quar- 
ters. July  15,  Captain  James  Sterling  re- 
ceived $100  part  payment  for  expenses  in 
marching  British  prisoners  from  Burling- 
ton, New  Jersey,  to  York. 

September  25,  Baltzer  Spangler  and  four 
other  persons  received  in  all  forty-fi\e  dol- 
lars for  riding"  through  York  County  to 
notify  the  colonels  of  the  militia  battalions 
to  march  to  New  Jerse}-.  This  was  the  first 
general  call  for  the  militia  of  York  County 
to  serve  in  the  army.  They  marched  to" 
Perth  Amboy,  New'  Jersey,  near  Long  Is- 
land, upon  which  the  British  army,  under 
Howe,  had  recently  landed. 

On  September  30,  Joseph  Donaldson,  of 
York,  succeeded  ]\Iichael  Swope  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Pennsylvania  Council  of  Safety. 
Colonel  Donaldson  immediately  proceeded 
to  Philadelphia  and  assumed  his  duties. 

January  13,  1777,  York  County  furnished 
4,000  bushels  of  grain  as  feed  for  horses  in 
the  continental  service.  About  the  same 
time,  Joseph  Pennell,  assistant  commissary- 
general,  reported  that  owing  to  the  demands 
for  whiskey,  by  the  use  of  small  copper 
stills,  many  of  the  farmers  in  Pennsyhania 
were  engaged  in  making  this  product.  He 
notified  the  authorities  that  if  the  practice 


256 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


was  continued  the  supply  of  rye  and  other 
grains  would  not  ec|ual  tlie  demand.  In 
February.  General  Jolm  Armstrong,  then  in 
command  of.  a  body  of  militia  in  the  army, 
stated  that  rye  and  much  of  the  wheat 
raised  in  Cumberland,  Lancaster  and  York 
Counties,  in  1776,  had  been  used  in  distil- 
ling whiske\\  "This  condition  of  affairs," 
he  said,  "is  alarming,  because  in  a  few 
months,  Penns}lvania  may  be  scarce  in 
bread  for  her  own  inhabitants." 

The  field  officers  in  command  of  the 
militia  in  1777,  were  appointed  by  authority 
of  the  State  Assembly  upon  the  recom- 
mendation of  the  members  from  the  differ- 
ent counties.  The  members  of  the  As- 
sembly from  York  County  then  were 
Archibald  McClean,  Michael  Swope,  David 
Dunwoodie,  James  Dickson,  Michael 
Hahn  and  John  Read.  March  11,  Thomas 
Nesbitt  paid  Michael  Hahn,  of  York,  nine- 
teen pounds,  seventeen  shillings,  for  scab- 
bards furnished  to  the  militia.  At  the  same 
time,  Michael  Eichelberger,  of  York,  re- 
ceived from  Nesbitt,  five  pounds  for  lodging 
servants  of  militia  officers  at  Y'ork.  Mich- 
ael Hahn,  who  had  been  chosen  to  the 
Legislature  from  York,  served  as  paymaster 
to  the  militia  in  1776.  He  was  succeeded, 
September  16,  1777,  by  Lieutenant  AVilliam 
Scott. 

April  25,  500  militia  from  York  County 
were  ordered  to  proceed  to  the  camp  at 
Chester.  These  troops  were  drafted  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  militia  law.  In  general 
orders,  June  13,  1777,  at  Philadelphia,  the 
detachment  of  the  First  Maryland  Regi- 
ment was  ordered  to  parade  at  five  o'clock 
the  next  morning  and  escort  prisoners  to 
York.  September  5,  Richard  Peters,  secre- 
tary of  the  Board  of  War,  suggested  that 
the  county  lieutenants  of  militia  for  York, 
Lancaster,  Cumberland,  Berks  and  North- 
ampton Counties,  furnish  a  guard  for 
prisoners  held  in  or  passing  through  said 
counties,  and  also  for  guarding  government 
property. 

There  were  Tories  in  York 
Committee  County,  during  the  Revolu- 
Appointed.  tion,  as  well  as  in  other  parts 
of  the  country.  The  most 
stringent  measures  were  adopted  by  the 
State  Legislatures  to  check  the  growth  of 
disloyalty.  For  this  purpose  committees 
were  appointed  in  each  county  to  seize  the 


estates  of  the  disaffected  and  confiscate  the 
property.  October  21,  soon  after  Congress 
came  to  York,  \\'illiam  White,  Robert 
Stevenson,  James  Nailor,  ^Matthew  Dill, 
\A'illiam  Chesney  and  John  Ewing  were  ap- 
pointed a  committee  for  York  County.  No- 
vember 8,  Joseph  Donaldson.  George  Ir- 
win, Thomas  Stockton,  Frederick  Gelwix, 
Thomas  Weems,  John  Nesbitt,  Henry  Cot- 
ton, Jacob  Staley,  John  Andrews  and 
Robert  Smith  were  appointed  commission- 
ers to  collect  arms  and  accoutrements, 
blankets,  woollen  and  linsey-woolsey  cloth, 
linens,  shoes  and  stockings  for  the  army, 
from  the  inhabitants  who  had  not  taken  the 
oath  of  allegiance  and  abjuration  or  who 
had  aided  the  enemy. 

On  October  15,  1777,  Jacob  Smearly  was 
paid  13  pounds,  15  shillings  for  making 
irons  for  the  prisoners  of  war. 

November  19,  1777,  the  Council  of  Safety 
ordered  the  civil  authorities  of  Cumberland 
County  to  provide  126  wagons,  and  of  York 
County  118  wagons  for  the  purpose  of  re- 
moving government  stores  to  places  of 
safety  west  of  the  Susquehanna.  This  oc- 
curred shortly  after  the  battle  of  German- 
town.  The  demands  for  wagons  from  the 
different  townships  of  York  County  and 
from  York  were  as  follows:  Monaghan,  2; 
AA'arrington,  6;  Huntingdon,  6;  Reading, 
6;  Dover,  3;  Newberry,  6;  Manchester,  6; 
Hellam,  4;  York  Township,  4;  York,  2; 
Hopewell,  2:  Chanceford,  2;  Fawn,  4; 
Shrewsbury,  4;  A\'indsor,  6;  Codorus,  6; 
Heidelberg,  6;  Germany,  6;  Paradise,  6; 
Berwick,  4;  Mountjoy,  3;  Mount  Pleasant, 
3;  Straban,  3;  Tyrone,  4;  Menallen,  3; 
Cumberland,  3:  Hamiltonban,  3;  Manheim, 

October  20,  Captain  Joshua  AA'illiams 
made  information  before  a  justice  of  the 
peace  of  York  County,  charging  Stephen 
Foulke  with  concealing  deserters  from  Wil- 
liams' company.  Justice  Lees  discharged 
Foulke  for  lack  of  sufficient  evidence. 

January  9,  1778,  Joseph  Jeffries  was  ap- 
pointed wagon-master  of  York  County. 
February  13,  Captain  Long,  commanding 
militia  whose  term  had  expired,  was 
ordered  to  convey  British  prisoners  from 
Lancaster  to  York. 

General  Washington,  who  had  been 
given  by  Congress  extraordinary  powers, 
on   February   17,   1778,  ordered  Lieutenant 


TliK    RE\ULL"TI(JX 


-'57 


Thomas  Campbell,  of  Monachan  Townsliip. 
to  return  home  and  recruit  one  hundred  and 
fifty  men  for  the  army.  March  22,  the 
Executive  Council  of  Pennsylvania  granted 
an  order  in  favor  of  Colonel  Richard  ]\IcAl- 
lister,  lieutenant  of  York  County,  for  3,000 
pounds,  or  $15,000,  to  be  given  to  William 
Scott,  paymaster  of  militia  of  York  County. 
David  Watson  received  1,500  pounds  from 
the  same  source,  April  10,  1778.  for  the  pur- 
pose of  purchasing  horses  in  the  County  of 
York,  for  the  Continental  cavalry.  Captain 
Thomas  Gourley,  of  the  Ninth ;  Captain 
Xehemiah  Stokely,  of  the  Eighth :  Lieuten- 
ant James  McCulIough,  of  the  Fifth;  Lieu- 
tenant Thomas  Campbell  and  Lieutenant 
Samuel  Gray,  of  the  Fourth  Pennsylvania 
Regiments,  came  to  York  County,  in  April, 
to  recruit  soldiers  to  fill  up  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Line. 

Robert  Stephenson,  James  Marlar,  Wil- 
liam Chesney,  Thomas  Stockton,  and 
Thomas  Lilly  were  appointed  commission- 
ers for  York  County,  under  the  act  of  at- 
tainder. James  Edgar,  a  member  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Council  of  Safety,  received 
1,000  pounds  in  May,  for  the  use  of  David 
\\'atson  in  the  purchase  of  horses.  May 
20,  ^^"illiam  Scott,  paymaster,  received 
4,000  pounds  to  pay  the  militia  then  in  the 
service  from  York  County.  June  29,  two 
days  after  Congress  left  York,  a  large 
number  of  refugees  from  the  western 
frontier  of  Pennsylvania  arrived  in  York 
on  the  way  to  Maryland. 

August  10,  Colonel  Albright  received 
from  John  Ha}-,  sub-lieutenant  of  York 
County,  112  muskets  for  use  of  a  part  of 
his  battalion  on  an  expedition  against  the 
Indians  and  Tories  in  the  interior  of  Penn- 
sylvania. These  troops  were  sent  to 
Standing  Stone,  now  Huntingdon,  Penn- 
sylvania. 

On  September  4,  Elizabeth  Shugart  was 
given  a  pass  into  the  British  lines  in  the 
city  of  New  York,  for  the  purpose  of  visit- 
ing her  husband,  then  a  prisoner  of  war  on 
Long  Island,  having  been  captured  at  Fort 
W'ashington  while  serving  in  Colonel 
Swope's  Regiment,  of  York  County.  Sep- 
tember 5,  Lieutenant  James  Milligan  was 
ordered  to  recruit  for  the  Continental  army 
in  York  County,  and  for  this  purpose  to 
receive  pay  from  Richard  McAllister,  lieu- 
tenant of  York  Countv. 


James  Elliot  and  a  detachment  of  militia 
were  paid  8  pounds  for  services  and  expense 
in  disarming  Tories,  September  15,  1778. 

"Ralph,"  a  negro  slave  belonging  to 
John  Rankin,  of  York  County,  petitioned 
the  Assembly  for  his  freedom  in  September, 
because  his  master  was  charged  with  being 
a  Tory  and  was  then  in  the  British  lines  at 
Philadelphia.  Ralph  claimed  his  master 
had  freed  him  sometime  before  he  had  gone 
to  Philadelphia.  Being  unable  to  prove  his 
assertion,  the  slave  was  ordered  to  be  hired 
out.  September  16,  Paymaster  William 
Scott  received  $20,000  for  the  use  of  the 
militia  of  York  County.  Colonel  David 
Kennedy,  of  York  County,  one  of  the  com- 
missioners  to  purchase  clothing  for  the 
army  in  the  county  of  York,  received 
$12,500  for  that  purpose,  October  10. 

On   February  9,    1779,  Colonel 
Wagons      Joseph    Jeffries    petitioned    the 
for  Council  of  Safety  for  money  to 

Prisoners,  pay  for  wagons  used  in  trans- 
porting the  British  and  Hes- 
sian troops  of  Burgoyne's  army  from  the 
Susquehanna  River  to  Virginia.  March  22, 
Colonel  Richard  McAllister  received 
$15,000  for  the  use  of  William  Scott,  of 
York  County,  paymaster  of  militia.  May 
14,  York  County  was  ordered  to  furnish 
thirty  wagons  to  transport  provisions  and 
military  stores  to  troops  ordered  to  the 
western  frontier  at  Fort  Pitt,  now  Pitts- 
burg. 

Archibald  McClean,  of  York,  who  had 
served  as  a  member  of  the  State  Assembly, 
was  appointed  by  the  Supreme  Executive 
Council,  July  14,  1779,  to  receive  subscrip- 
tions in  York  County  to  aid  in  securing  a 
loan  of  twenty  million  dollars  for  carrying 
on  the  war,  as  authorized  by  Congress. 
October  13,  the  Supreme  Executive  Council 
called  out  three  classes  of  York  County 
militia  to  guard  the  frontier  and  to  join  the 
Continental  army.  The  state  militia  were 
usually  called  out  for  sixty  days.  On  this 
occasion,  Washington  desired  them  to 
serve  one  month  longer.  In  answer  to  this 
call,  an  additional  bounty  was  to  be  re- 
ceived. The  officers  and  privates  were  to 
receive  eighty  dollars  in  addition  to  tlie  one 
hundred  dollars  provided  by  a  law  already 
passed. 

March  30,  1780,  ^^'illiam  Scott  was  ap- 
pointed    lieutenant     of     militia     for     York 


17 


2.^8 


HISTORY    OF   YORK  COUNTY,    PEXXSYLVAXIA 


County  to  succeed  Colonel  Richard  McAl- 
lister, who  had  been  chosen  a  member  of 
the  Supreme  Executive  Council.  Captain 
^^'illiam  Scott  was  also  appointed,  .April  3, 
commissioner  of  purchase  for  York  County, 
under  an  act  of  Assembly  recently  passed. 
The  office  of  lieutenant  of  York  County 
was  created  by  the  Assembly  in  1776.  This 
officer  was  required  to  organize  the  militia 
throughout  the  county  in  which  he  lived, 
and  see  that  the  different  companies  re- 
ceived careful  military  drill  and  discipline. 
He  was  also  required  to  superintend  the 
calling  out  of  the  difTerent  classes  of  militia 
for  service  in  the  field,  and,  if  necessary, 
was  empowered  to  order  a  draft  if  there 
were  not  a  sufficient  number  of  soldiers  to 
fill  the  quota  as  demanded.  Captain  Scott, 
also  commissioner  of  purchase  at  that  time, 
was  ordered  to  purchase  fifty  tons  of  hay. 
two  thousand  bushels  of  corn  or  four 
thousand  bushels  of  oats,  and  fifteen  hun- 
dred barrels  of  flour,  and  in  accordance  with 
directions  from  General  Washington,  was 
ordered  to  deposit  forty  tons  of  hay,  two 
thousand  bushels  of  corn,  one  hundred  bar- 
rels of  flour,  two  hundred  and  eighty  gal- 
lons of  rum  at  York. 

April  II,  1780,  Thomas  McKean,  then 
chief-justice  of  Pennsylvania,  wrote  the 
Council,  that  the  sheriff  of  York  County 
had  a  prisoner  who  was  charged  with  guid- 
ing the  British  from  Philadelphia  to 
Crooked  Billet,  in  Bucks  County,  where  the 
Pennsyhania  militia  were  encamped.  At 
this  place,  in  1778,  the  British  had  surprised 
the  militia  under  General  Lacey  and  routed 
them.  In  April,  1780,  General  Washington 
recommended  that  100  barrels  of  flour, 
1,280  gallons  of  rum,  40  tons  of  hay  and 
4,000  bushels  of  corn  be  purchased  and 
placed  among  the  militia  stores  at  York. 

May  27,  purchasing  agents  were 
Captain  located  in  Pennsylvania  at  the 
William  following  posts:  Philadelphia, 
Scott.  Easton,  Reading,  Lancaster,  Sun- 
bury,  Carlisle  and  York.  On 
June  I,  Captain  William  Scott  received 
from  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  the 
State,  $6,500  for  the  purchase  of  supplies 
for  the  army.  Under  a  special  rule,  the 
Pennsylvania  militia  was  to  be  composed  of 
fifty  battalions,  of  which  York  County  had 
eight.  In  June,  Major  James  Chamberlain 
was     appointed     wagon     master     of     York 


Count}'.  Colonel  Ephraim  Blaine,  of  Car- 
lisle, grandfather  of  Secretary  of  State 
James  G.  Blaine,  in  1780,  as  clothier-gen- 
eral, reported  that  William  Scott  had  suc- 
ceeded Colonel  Henry  Miller  as  assistant 
clothier-general  of  Pennsylvania.  Miller 
had  been  appointed  in  1779.  John  Brooks 
was  then  commissary  of  the  government 
magazine  at  York. 

On  June  26,  Lieutenant  Scott  wrote  to 
President  Reed  that  he  had  the  promise  of 
600  barrels  of  flour  from  York  County;  had 
purchased  170  sheep,  20  head  of  beef,  but 
was  unable  to  procure  much  salt  beef  and 
bacon,  because  they  were  scarce.  These 
provisions  were  intended  for  militia  to  be 
marched  to  the  frontier.  He  also  said  he 
could  send  100  militia  to  the  front  as  soon 
as  arms  could  be  procured  from  Philadel- 
phia. The  plans  were  changed  upon  the 
arrival  of  the  French  fleet  and  the  expedi- 
tion to  the  frontier  abandoned. 

On  July  15,  one  company  of  militia  from 
York  County  was  ordered  to  Bedford,  and 
another  to  A^'estmoreland  County  to  aid  in 
guarding  the  western  frontier.  Upon  the 
arrival  of  the  French  fleet  in  American 
waters  to  aid  in  the  cause  of  independence, 
the  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  Pennsyl- 
vania ordered  York  County  to  provide  500 
barrels  of  flour  per  month,  for  a  stated 
time,  500  bushels  of  forage  per  month,  25 
wagons,  300  horses  and  600  militia.  These 
supplies  were  intended  for  the  soldiers  and 
sailors  of  the  French  fleet;  the  horses  and 
wagons  to  transport  the  goods,  and  the 
militia  to  act  as  a  guard  in  transporting 
them.  The  wagonmaster  of  each  county 
was  to  allow  two  work  horses  to  remain  on 
each  farm.  In  September,  1780,  the  sum  of 
$12,750  was  advanced  by  the  State  of  Penn- 
sylvania for  calling  into  service  a  part  of 
the  militia  of  York  County  sent  to  the  Con- 
tinental army  in  the  field. 

Colonel  William  Scott  wrote,  August  i, 
1780,  to  President  Reed,  that  he  "paraded 
one  company  of  volunteers  and  ordered 
them  to  march  for  Bedford;  but  they  are  to 
set  ofif  this  evening  for  Philadelphia  under 
the  command  of  Captain  James  Mackey.  a 
gentleman  who  has  served  several  years  in 
our  army  and  was  recommended  to  me  by 
gentlemen  of  my  acquaintance,  as  one  who 
l)eha\ed  with  bravery.  The  company  con- 
sists of  fiftv  men  exclusive  of  olficers," 


Til 


kEX'OLUTIOX 


259 


Xoveniljer  20,  James  Smith,  of  York,  and 
Henry  W  ynkoop,  of  Bucks  County,  were 
recommended  for  appointment  as  judges  of 
the  High  Court  of  Appeals  for  the  State  of 
Pennsylvania.  Thomas  Armor,  Sr.,  was  ap- 
pointed, November  25,  collector  of  excise 
for  York  County. 

On  Januar}-  30,   1781,  Archibald 

Money       AlcClean  received  $1,500,  to  aid 

for  in    recruiting    men    from    York 

Recruits.     County    for   the    first    regiment, 

Pennsylvania    Line,    which    had 

been     ordered     to     rendezvous     at     York. 

Three  months  later,  McClean  was  granted 

$5,000   to   be   vised    in   paying   bounties    to 

recruits  and  gratuity,  then  given  to  men  in 

service  in  the  Pennsylvania  Line. 

After  1779  the  seat  of  war  had  been 
transferred  to  the  South,  where  severe  bat- 
tles occurred  at  Savannah,  King's  Moun- 
tain, Cowpens  and  other  places.  The  valor 
of  the  American  patriots  called  forth 
demonstrations  of  joy.  General  Greene 
was  then  in  charge  of  the  Southern  army. 
In  February,  1781,  Archibald  McClean 
wrote  from  York :  "Upon  the  arrival  of  the 
news  from  the  South,  a  number  of  us  met 
and  subscribed  liberally  for  a  'feu  de  joy' 
and  also  for  a  prudent  treat  for  the  return- 
ing soldiers.  We  also  raised  a  fund  to  be 
distributed  among  those  whom  we  could 
engage  to  re-enlist."  He  further  stated 
al:)out  twenty  of  the  returning  soldiers  had 
re-enlisted. 

Alarch  3,  Colonel  ]\iichael  Swope,  of 
York,  and  Colonel  Henry  Slagle,  of  Han- 
over, were  appointed,  under  authority  of 
the  Supreme  Executive  Council,  to  settle 
with  troops  of  the  First  and  Tenth  Regi- 
ments of  the  Penns}-lvania  Line,  tlien  in 
camp  at  York.  Alarch  14,  General  James 
Potter  and  Mr.  Cunningham  were  ap- 
pointed by  the  Supreme  E.xecutive  Council 
to  confer  with  the  members  of  Assemblv 
from  York  County,  on  the  subject  of  the 
reception  of  the  British  and  Hessian  troops 
which  were  soon  to  arrive  in  Pennsylvania 
from  Charlottesville,  Virginia,  where  they 
had  been  held  as  prisoners  of  war  since 
January,  1779.  March  16,  Colonel  Michael 
Smyser,  Captain  Moses  McClean,  members 
of  the  Assembly  from  York  County,  and 
.\le.xander  Lowry,  of  Lancaster  County, 
held  a  conference  with  President  Reed, 
relating  to  the  moxenienl  of  the  I'ritish  and 


Hessian  prisoners  northward.  They  dis- 
cussed the  danger  that  would  arise  by 
bringing"  so  large  a  number,  more  than 
3,000  foreign  troops,  into  southern  Penn- 
sylvania. 

These  troops,  however,  were  brought 
soon  after  and  placed  in  prison  pens  at 
York,  Lancaster  and  Reading,  the  officers 
being  sent  to  Connecticut. 

May  16,  General  Wayne,  then  in  York,  in 
command  of  the  Pennsylvania  Line,  wrote 
the  President  of  Pennsylvania  asking  for 
si.xty  head  of  cattle  to  be  sent  within  a  few 
days  for  the  use  of  the  Fifth  Regiment, 
which  would  s-oon  arrive.  June  26,  William 
Alexander  was  appointed  paymaster  of 
York  County  militia  to  succeed  Captain 
William  Scott.  Major  James  Moore  was 
appointed  recruiting  agent  for  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Line  at  Hanover. 

November  28,  Captain  Wil- 
McPherson's     liam     Scott    wrote     to    the 

Cavalry.  state  authorities  that  a  com- 
pany of  cavalry  had  been 
organized  in  the  \\estern  part  of  York 
County.  Thirty  men  had  enlisted  at  Marsii 
Creek  and  half  that  number  at  Hanover. 
He  further  stated  that  they  had  elected 
William  McPherson,  captain;  Robert  Mor- 
rison, lieutenant,  and  James  Gettys,  cornet. 
It  would  seem  that  this  company  was 
organized  for  the  frontier  service,  for  seven 
months  later,  in  June  1782,  Captain  Scott 
wrote  from  York:  "On  Sunda}^  last,  I  re- 
ceived the  orders  from  Council  of  May  23, 
and  agreeal)le  to  the  directions  therein  con- 
tained, have  ordered  one-half  of  the  Light 
Horse  and  four  classes  of  militia  of  York 
County  to  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to 
march  at  the  shortest  notice.  I  have  also 
taken  an  account  of  the  public  arms  at  this 
town  and  find  sixty-eight  unlit  for  use, 
which  I  have  ordered  to  be  immediately  re- 
paired. The  gunsmiths  inform  me  that 
they  will  be  all  finished  in  a  few  days." 
The  gunsmiths  in  York  then  were  Philip 
Heckert,  Ignatius  Lightner,  Adam  Light- 
ner,  Jacob  Letter,  Jacob  \\'elschantz, 
Joseph  Welschantz,  Sr.,  Joseph  Welsch- 
antz,  Jr.,  and  Conrad  Welschantz. 

December  22,  the  Supreme  Executive 
Council  formed  plans  for  recruiting  the  regi- 
ments of  the  Pennsylvania  Line.  This  was 
two  months  after  the  surrender  of  Corn- 
wallis  at  ^'orktown,  in  \'irginia,  and  these 


_'6o 


HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUNTY,    PENXSYLVAXIA 


troops  had  returned  to  their  native  state. 
York,  Lancaster,  Reading,  Newtown,  and 
CarHsle  were  the  places  of  rendezvous  for 
the  regiments  of  these  Pennsylvania  troops. 
Colonel  Richard  Humpton,  commanding 
the  Second  Regiment,  was  appointed  to 
superintend  this  recruiting  service. 

January  2,  1782,  General  Lincoln,  of  the 
Continental  army,  reported  that  General 
Hazen,  commanding  the  regiment  of  Con- 
tinental troops  known  as  "Congress'  Own," 
had  been  appointed  to  guard  prisoners  at 
York,  Lancaster  and  Reading.  The  state 
militia  then  guarding  the  prisoners  were 
discharged  from  the  service.  February  2^1, 
Lieutenant  Richard  Johnston,  of  Hazen's 
Regiment,  was  directed  to  march  with  his 
company,  then  at  York,  to  Bedford  for  the 
defense  of  the  frontier.  Captain  William 
Alexander,  lieutenant  of  York  County,  was 
ordered  to  call  out  forty  men  from  the 
militia  to  guard  the  British,  then  in  the 
■\'icinity  of  York. 

September    5,   1782,  a    company 

To  marched     from     York    to    Fort 

Guard         Pitt,    the'  site    of    Pittsburg,    to 

the  guard  the  frontier.      This    com- 

Frontier.     pany  was  composed  of  seventy- 
eight    men,    rank    and    file.      A 
wagon  also  was  sent  to  carry  prisoners. 

September  9,  Captain  Alexander  was 
ordered  to  call  into  service  one  lieutenant, 
one  sergeant,  one  corporal  and  fifteen  men 
to  guard  the  prisoners  in  York.  Twenty 
days  later  these  count}'  lieutenants  were  in- 
structed that  the  Continental  troops  on 
their  return  from  the  western  frontier 
would  take  the  place  of  the  militia  in  guard- 
ing prisoners  of  war  in  Pennsylvania.  It 
was  then  ordered  that  these  lieutenants  had 
no  further  occasion  to  call  out  the  militia 
for  frontier  service  since  the  British  had 
"called  in"  the  savages  and  would  give  no 
further  trouble. 

August  5,  1783,  Jacob  Smyser,  of  York, 
wrote  to  the  President  of  Pennsylvania, 
"about  200  cattle  perished  in  York  County 
last  spring,  and  the  crops  for  this  year 
failed.  If  the  threatened  attempts  to  en- 
force collections  of  taxes  be  carried  out,  it 
will  be  ruinous  to  the  county.  Few  indi- 
\iduals  will  escape  going  to  jail.  Money 
has  very  little  circulation  among  our  in- 
habitants, as  it  has  in  other  more  fortunate 


and  more  populous  sections.  The  mildew 
and  hail  have  destroyed  many  fields  of  grain 
this  year.  Collectors  of  taxes  have  alread\' 
brought  goods  to  York  from  a  distance  of 
twenty  miles  in  order  to  sell  them  in  this 
town,  but  met  with  no  encouragement  be- 
cause no  one  would  bid  on  the  distrained 
goods  out  of  sympathy  for  the  fellow- 
citizens  from  whom  the  goods  had  been 
seized."  A  few  months  later  a  riot  oc- 
curred in  York  as  the  result  of  tax  collect- 
ors seizing  goods  and  merchandise  from 
delinquent  taxpayers. 

July  28,  1784,  William  Scott  reported 
that  there  were  still  in  York,  belonging  to 
the  government,  the  following:  75  muskets, 
20  bayonets,  8  cartridge  boxes  and  8  can- 
teens. 

Owing  to  the  depreciation  of  the  cur- 
rency and  the  heavy  taxes  imposed  for  car- 
rying on  the  war,  it  was  often  difficult  to 
carry  out  the  provisions  of  the  law  and 
certain  officers  refused  to  act.  In  1778, 
George  Jacobs,  of  Paradise,  refused  to  ac- 
cept a  commission  as  constable  of  that 
township.  A\'illiam  Park,  of  Monaghan 
Township,  was  charged  with  non-compli- 
ance with  the  law  because  he  would  not 
serve  a  summons  on  one  of  his  neighbors 
for  the  collection  of  taxes.  For  the  same 
cause  Matthias  Hollowpeter,  of  Warring- 
ton Township,  was  indicted.  He  pleaded 
guilty  and  "put  himself  upon  the  mercy  of 
his  country"  because  he  did  not  want  to 
distress  his  neighbors. 

\\'illiam  Lukens,  the  colored 

Brought       cook,     in     Colonel     Swope's 

News  to       Regiment,    -in     the     Flying 

Washington.     Camp,  was  captured  at  Fort 

AYashington.  He  soon  af- 
terward escaped  from  his  imprisonment 
and  went  to  Trenton,  where  he  made  shoes 
for  himself  out  of  a  cartridge  box,  given  to 
him  by  a  Hessian  soldier.  A\'hen  Washing- 
ton crossed  New  Jersey  from  New  York, 
Lukens  gave  the  general  the  information 
that  Hessians  were  garrisoned  at  Trenton. 
As  the  story  goes,  this  information  was  of 
great  value  to  the  American  army  to  lay 
plans  for  the  capture  of  1,000  Hessian 
soldiers  under  Colonel  Rahl.  at  Trenton,  on 
Christmas  night,  1776.  After  the  war  he 
returned  to  York,  where  he  li\'ed  tlie 
remainder  of  his  life. 


THE   RE\'OLUTIOX 


26! 


Owing    to    the    depreciation 

A  Special        in  tiie  value    of    Continental 

Commission,     currency      and      the      papet' 

money  issued  by  the  differ- 
ent states  of  the  Union,  during  the  Revolu- 
tion, there  was  a  continual  fluctuation  in  the 
prices  of  goods  and  commodities  bought 
and  sold.  In  order  to  prevent  monopolies, 
to  regulate  the  price  of  labor,  of  manu- 
factured products  and  of  internal  produce, 
commissioners  were  appointed  by  the 
legislatures  of  different  states  to  meet  at 
certain  places.  On  March  26,  1777,  the 
states  of  Xew  York.  New  Jersey,  Pennsyl- 
vania, Delaware,  Maryland  and  Virginia 
appointed  commissioners,  who,  according 
to  arrangements,  met  in  York  at  the  public 
inn  of  ^^'illianl  White.  The  delegates  who 
convened  here  were  the  following:  John 
Sloss  Hobart,  Colonel  Robert  Van  Rennse- 
laer,  of  Xew  York ;  Theophilus  Elmer, 
Joseph  Holmes,  of  Xew  Jersey :  George 
Henry,  Bartram  Galbreath,  John  W'hitehill, 
Richard  Thomas,  David  McConaughy,  of 
Pennsylvania ;  Caesar  Rodney,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Thomas  Collins.  Colonel  James 
Lattamore.  of  Delaware :  Xorman  Bruce, 
John  Braceo,  Henry  Griffith.  Joseph  Sim.  of 
^Maryland;  Lewis  Burwell.  Thomas  Adams, 
of  \^irginia ;  Thomas  Armor,  clerk. 

These  were  representative  men  from  the 
states  named  and  they  remained  in  session 
eight  days.  The  commissioners  could  not 
agree  on  definite  measures.  They,  how- 
ever, discussed  inatters  in  detail  and  passed 
resolutions  to  be  presented  to  the  different 
legislatures.  In  X'ovember  of  the  same 
year,  commissioners  from  all  of  the  thirteen 
original  states  were  appointed  to  assemble 
at  Xew  Haven,  Connecticut,  to  regulate  the 
prices  of  commodities.  Colonel  Henr}- 
Slagle.  of  York  County,  was  one  of  the 
representatives  of  Pennsylvania  in  that  con- 
vention. 

At  the  opening  of  hostilities,  in 


Toryism. 


I//0- 


the    people    of     Pennsyl- 


vania, as  elsewhere,  were  divided 
in  their  sentiments  as  to  the  prosecution  of 
the  war.  People  of  English  birth  who 
favored  King  George  were  Loyalists. 
Later  they  became  known  as  Tories.  Those 
who  favored  the  war  for  independence  were 
called  Whigs.  The  Quakers,  in  carrying 
out  their  religious  l)eliefs,  were  opposed  to 
taking  up  arms    against    their    fellow-men. 


In  the  eastern  part  of  the  state,  many  of 
this  class  of  people  were  ranked  as  Tories. 
After  1776,  very  few  of  them  were  elected 
to  hold  public  office.  Those  who  joined  the 
arni}-  became  the  fighting  Quakers  of  the 
Revolution. 

John  Webb,  an  intelligent  citizen  of  Xew- 
berry  Township,  was  prosecuted  because  he 
had  opposed  the  Provincial  Conference  of 
Pennsylvania,  a  bod\'  which  succeeded  the 
Assembly,  which  was  in  part  loyal  to  the 
British  go\ernment.  Webb  was  charged 
with  ha\ing  tlireatened  Continental  Con- 
gress and  the  officers  of  York  County  who 
supported  that  body.  He  went  so  far  as  to 
say  that  "within  two  or  three  days  he  could 
lay  the  town  of  York  in  ashes." 

Kilian  Devinger  and  Andrew  Miller,  of 
Shrewsbury  Township,  were  found  guilty 
of  treason,  in  April,  1779,  for  having  pro- 
cured names  to  a  paper  to  agree  not  to 
muster  with  the  organized  militia  of  the 
count}'.  The  paper,  which  they  drew  up. 
bound  those  who  signed  it  to  aid  in  break- 
ing open  the  county  jail  for  the  purpose  of 
releasing  those  who  were  imprisoned  by  the 
state  authorities  for  not  obeying  the  militia 
laws. 

At  the  October  sessions  of  court,  1779. 
Henry  ^\'atts,  of  York  County,  was  indicted 
for  misprison  and  treason  for  having  said. 
"Yes,  I  am  a  Tory  and  I  acknowledge  it.  I 
am  an  old  warrior  and  one  of  King  George's 
men.  God  bless  King  George  !  Hurrah  ! 
Here  is  health  and  happiness  to  King 
George  and  down  with  the  rebels!  I'll  see 
King  George  reign  here  yet  in  a  short 
time." 

Joseph  Smith,  of  the  town  of  York,  in 
17S0,  was  found  guilty  of  misdemeanor  for 
asserting  that  Continental  money  was 
worth  nothing  and  the  paper  money  issued 
by  the  state  no  better.  He  further  said  to 
some  patriots,  "You  have  only  eleven  of  the 
thirteen  states  left  and  how  long  will  you 
keep  Pennsylvania?" 

Christian  Pochtel,  of  Manheim  Town- 
ship, who  was  offered  twenty  pounds  each, 
or  about  one  hundred  dollars  in  Conti- 
nental money,  for  three  o.xen,  refused  the 
offer,  stating  that  he  would  not  sell  for 
paper  money  because  of  its  depreciation. 
He  offered  to  sell  them  for  fifteen  pounds  in 
gold  or  silver.  Frederick  Leather,  of 
Dover   Township,    likewise    refused    to    sell 


262 


HISTORY    OK   YORK   COUXTV,    PEXXSVLVAXIA 


lour  oxen  if  he  were  to  recei\'e  payment  in 
Continental  nione\'.  Frederick  Young,  of 
]\lt.  Pleasant  Township,  now  in  Adams 
County,  also  refused  to  sell  his  cattle. 
These  oxen  were  wanted  as  rations  for  the 
Pennsylvania  Line  under  General  \\'ayne, 
then  encamped  at  York,  before  leaving  for 
the  campaign  against  Cornwallis  at  York- 
town.  Virginia. 

Samuel  Keller,  of  York  County,  May  lo. 
1781,  was  found  guilty  of  misdemeanor  for 
saying  to  other  parties  that  if  they  could 
"keep  off  the  rebel  collector  of  taxes  for 
two  months,  the  King  of  England  will  con- 
([uer  the  cotmtry." 

ROLLS   OF  ASSOCIATORS  AND 
MILITIA. 

At  the  opening  of  the  Revolution,  in 
1775.  able-bodied  citizens  of  Pennsylvania 
formed  themselves  into  military  companies 
and  were  known  as  Associators.  Five  bat- 
talions were  organized  in  York  County. 
Xo  complete  muster  roll  of  these  battalions 
is  knoAvn  to  be  in  existence.  A  large  pro- 
portion of  them  were  found  by  Edward  \\'. 
Spangler,  Esq..  and  first  published  in  the 
Spangler  Annals,  in  the  year  1896.  The 
original  rolls  were  placed,  by  Mr.  Spangler, 
in  the  Historical  Society  of  York  County. 
Printed  copies  of  them  will  be  found  in  the 
succeeding  pages.  After  the  state  constitu- 
tion of  1776  was  adopted,  the  state  militia 
was  organized  out  of  the  Associators. 
cluster  rolls  of  some  of  the  companies  from 
York  County  ser\-ing  in  the  Continental 
Line  appear  in  the  preceding  chapters. 

The  muster  rolls  of  the  militia  companies 
which  follow  were  largely  furnished  by 
Luther  R.  Kelker,  of  the  Pennsylvania 
State  Library,  at  Harrisburg. 

The  First  Battalion  of  York  County  As- 
sociators was  organized  in  1775  by  Colonel 
James  Smith,  and  included  companies  from 
the  town  of  York  and  the  townships  of  Hel- 
1am,  Windsor,  Manchester,  York  and  Co- 
dorus.  This  battalion  marched,  in  1776,  to 
Perth  Amboy,  New  Jersey,  where  part  of 
its  rank  and  file  enlisted  in  the  First  Regi- 
ment of  the  Flying  Camp,  commanded  by 
Colonel  Michael  Swope.  of  Y'ork.  In  1775, 
Thomas  Hartley  was  lieutenant-colonel  and 
Joseph  Donaldson  and  Michael  Swope, 
majors.     The  following  is  a  complete  mus- 


ter roll  of  se\-en  of  the  eight  companies  in 


1776: 


Caftaiii, 

William  Bailey. 

First  Lieutenant, 

John  Hay. 

Privates, 


John   Mrown, 
Christian   Beiding, 
Jacob  Bamhart, 
George  Beck, 
Wilial   Brown, 
Jacob  Baub, 
George  Brionn, 
Matthias   Crauth, 
Diter  Conn, 
William  Clem. 
Henry  Counselman, 
John  Claydt, 
Jacob  Crist, 
Abraham   Danner, 
Jacob  Doudel, 
James   Dobbins, 
John  Dicks, 
Jacob  Daiwele. 
Hugh  Dobbins, 
George  Erwin, 
^Michael   Edwards, 
Jacob   Entler, 
Diter  Furth, 
John  Fitz, 
George  Frey, 
Philip  Grener, 
Christian  Greithler, 
John  Grever. 
George  Gulhiahr, 
Anthony  Gyer, 
Jacob  Gron, 
Seth   Goodwein, 
Philip  Gross, 
Jacob  Grever. 
Adam  Grener, 
Abraham  Graufus, 
Thomas    Hickson, 
Peter  Haiier, 
Philip  Heckert, 
Jacob  Hause, 
George  Haide, 
Peter  Hoke, 
Francis  Jones, 
George  Koch, 
Henry  Kiefer, 
Baltzer  Kneible, 


Jr. 


.\braham   Kneisle. 
Christian  Kauffman, 
Joseph  Klepper, 
Daniel   Keiser, 
David  Kuff, 
Christour   Lauman, 
Frederick  Laumaster, 
William    Lange, 
Nathaniel    Leightner, 
Jacob  Lether, 
Nathaniel  Leightner, 
Arthur  McMann, 
James    MacCamend, 
Paul   Metzgar, 
John   Mayer, 
.\ndrew  Nonnemacher, 
John   Neit, 
John   Probst, 
Thomas  Rein, 
Andrew  Robinson, 
■^acob   Sprenkle, 
Jacob  Sheffer, 
Peter  Schlemer, 
John   Schultz. 
Peter  Streber, 
.•\.ndener    Schettle, 
Henry   Schidtz, 
George  StoU, 
John  Shall, 
John   Struhman, 
William   Stoot, 
John   Schultz, 
Christian   Strahman, 
William  Thomson, 
Jacob  Vallvdein, 
Henry  Wa'lter, 
Jacob  Welshans, 
-Adam  Wolf, 
Joseph  Welshans, 
"George  Wilt, 
Philip  Waldismaien, 
David  Welshans, 
John   Welsh, 
Archibald   M.    Williams, 
Frederick  Zeigle, 
Gottlieb  Zeigle. 


Captain. 

Charles  Lnkens. 

First  Lieutenant, 

Christian  Stake. 

Second  Lieutenant, 

Ephraim  Sherriff. 

Privates, 


Joseph  Adlum. 
John  Adhim,  Jr., 
John  Brown, 
John  Blackburn, 
Robert  Bailey, 
Charles   Barnitz, 
Jacob   Barnitz, 
Peter  Boos, 
Martin  Carman, 
David  Candler, 
^ Isaac  Davis, 
.Anthony  Dougherty, 


Martin   Eichelbergcr,  Jr. 
John    Forsythe, 
George  Graham, 
James  Gorman, 
.\ndrew  Grobb, 
Jacob  Holtzinger, 
Peter  Haack. 
Frederick  Huber, 
Frederick  Houseman, 
Thomas   Hancock, 
Thomas   Irons. 
Godfry  Lonberger, 


THE   REVOLUTIOX 


263 


Henry  Jlyers, 
William  McMunn, 
William  Xitterfeld, 
Jacob  Obb. 
Thomas  Prior, 
Robert   Patton, 
Robert  Paisley, 
David   Parker, 


James   Robb, 
William  Skinner, 
John   Shultz,  Jr., 
John  Shall. 
John   Smith, 
George  Test, 
William  Vaines, 
John   Willis. 


Captain, 

—1  Rudolph  Spanglcr. 

First  Lieutenant, 

Peter  Reel. 

Second  Lieutenant, 

George  Shuch. 

Ensign, 

Christopher  Stayer. 

Sergeant, 

John  Fishel. 

Clerk, 

George  Lewis  Loeffler. 

Privates, 


Henry   Bentz 

(son  of  Philip), 
Henry  Brobeck, 
George  Beyer, 
Frederick  Bickel, 
Valentine   Brenneisen, 
Daniel  Barnitz, 
Nicholas  Brand, 
Weirich  Bentz, 
Henry   Bentz 

(son  of  John), 
John   Beltzner, 
Frederick  Bringman, 
John  Counselman, 
George  Craft. 
Herman   Cookes, 
Martin  Crever, 
George  Carman, 
Frederick   Dambach, 
John   Dallman, 
John   Detter, 
Hartman   Deitsh, 
Philip  Entler, 
Philip  Gossler, 
.\ndre\v  Hertzog, 
Conrad  Holtzbaum, 
John  Immel, 


Christian  Ilgenfritz, 
Peter  King, 
Conrad  Leatherman, 
George  Nebinger, 
Luke  Rose, 
Joseph  Rothrock, 
Jacob  Shuch, 
Peter  Swartz, 
Christian  Sinn, 
John   Shall, 
Jacob  Schneerer, 
Daniel  Spangler, 
Abraham  Sitler, 
John    Smith. 
Simon   Snyder, 
George  Snyder, 
Francis   Thomas, 
Henry  Welsh, 
Joseph  Weisang, 
Jacob  Wolf, 
Henry   Wolf 

(son  of  John), 
George  Wolf, 
James  Wallace, 
Henry  Wolf.  Jr., 
Matthias   Zimmer. 


Captain. 

George  Eichelberger. 

First  Lieutenant, 

Michael  Hahn. 

Second  Lieutenant, 

Baltzer  Spangler. 

Privates, 


Martin   Brenneisen, 
Nicholas  Bernhard, 
Joseph  Boude, 
George  Craff, 
James  Clerck. 
Jacob   Durang. 
Jacob   Eichinger, 
Jacob  Funck, 
John  Flender, 
George  Fritzler, 
George  Fiarar, 
John   Fisher, 
George   Geesev. 
Michael  Graybill, 
Liidwig  Hetrick, 
Finken  Imfelt, 
James  Jones, 


John  Kunckel. 
Michael  Kopenhafer, 
George  Moul, 
Casper  MuUer, 
Jacob  Miller, 
James  McCullough, 
John  "Maguire, 
George  Myer, 
Samuel  Nelson, 
Jacob  Xeuman, 
John   Pick. 
Jacob  Rudisil 
Henry  Ranch, 
Anthony  Ritz, 
Michael  Ruger, 
Jacob   Schram, 
Jacob  Schenk, 


Jr., 


George  Spangler, 
Lorentz   Small. 
Jacob  Sclireiber, 
Jacob  Schneider, 
jRudolph  Spangler, 
Stophel   Shellc}', 
Nicholas  Upp, 
John  Welsh, 


John  Wcrlov, 
Jolin  Wolff,' 
Ludwig  Weisang, 
Michael  Weider, 
Michael  Welsh, 
Frederick  Youce, 
Henry  Zimmerman, 
Peter -. 


Captain, 

Simon  Kopenhafer. 

First  Lieutenant, 

Michael  Schrciber. 

Second  Lieutenant, 

Andreas  Shinerd,  Jr. 

Ensign, 

Jacob  Gotvvalt,  Sr. 

Privates, 


A. 


Peter  Bentz, 
Jacob  Ersman, 
John   Frey, 
John  Gristy, 
Jacob   Graft. 
Jonas  Gastman, 
John   Gastman, 
Jacob  Gotwalt,  Jr., 
Leonard  Heindel, 
George  Henry  Houser, 
Jacob  Herman, 
George  Henry  Haupt, 
Frederick  Heid, 
Philip  Hoffman, 
Jonas  Herman, 
Nicholas   Herrer, 
Michael   Heyd, 
Jacob  Huft, 
Andreas  Heid, 
.•\mos  Hershey, 
Conrad  Insminger, 
John   Kreibel. 
Gotfried  Konig, 
George  Koenich, 

imon  Kopenhafer,  Jr., 
Jacob  Kauffman, 
Andreas  Kraft, 
Reinhart  Klein, 
Peter  Lang, 
George  Miller,  Jr., 
Henry  Noss, 


Henry  Ord. 
Andreas  Rittcr, 
John  Reittingcr, 
P.  Reittinger, 
John   Rentzel. 
Christ  Rentzcll, 
Jonas  Rudisill, 
Philip  Rudisill, 
Henry  Rau, 
John   Schwerd. 
James  Schinerd, 
John  Schreiber, 
Peter  Schultz, 

--ilichael   Sprenkle, 
Haus  Saal, 
John   Schram, 
Jacob  Schindcl, 
Frederick  Schindel, 
James   Worle, 
Jacob  Worle. 
Philip  Wagner, 
William   Worle, 
Daniel  Worle, 
Jacob  W"agner, 

_^hn  Wilt, 
Sanuiel  Wilt. 
Valentine  Wilt, 
Philip  Wintermyer. 
Peter  Winterrecht, 
George  Winterrecht. 
Philip  Weil. 


Captain. 

Jost  Herbach. 

First  Lieutenant. 

Peter  Shultz. 

Second  Lieutenant, 

Baltzer  Rudisill. 

Ensign, 

Jlichael  Ettingcr. 

Privates, 


Daniel  Anthony, 
Nicholas  Anthony, 
Henry   Beyer, 
Christian   Bixler, 
Joseph  Bixler, 
John   Bixler, 
Christian   Bixler, 
Jacob  Bixler, 
William  Becker, 
Jacob  Bohn, 
Nicholas  Bohn, 
Jacob  Bohn,  Jr., 
Stephen   Beyer, 
Jacob  Beyer, 
John  Beyer. 


William  Bear, 
Conrad  Becker, 
Henry   Becker,  Jr., 
John  Bcyerley, 
Peter  Elenberger, 
Michael  Ettinger, 
Dewalt  Gross, 
Samuel   Gross, 
Stophel   Grinwalt, 
Michael  Ginder, 
Conrad  Ginder, 
Christian   Heit, 
John  Heit, 
George  Heckler, 
Casoer  Knaub,  Jr., 


264 


HISTORY   OF   YORK  COUXTY,    PEXXSYLVAMA 


Jacob   Klingman. 
Frederick  Klingman. 
Pliilip  Jacob  Hoenig, 
Valentine  Kobler. 
Joseph  Kohler, 
Jacob  Knab, 
George  Klingman, 
William  Keys, 
Valentine   Kohlman, 
Andreas  Klein, 
Christian   Leib, 
Ezra  Lichtenberger, 
George  Lichtenberger, 
Adam   Lichtenberger. 
Knlian   Lichtenberger. 
Michael    Loebenstein, 
George    Loebenstein, 
John    Miller. 
Michael    Melhorn. 
George   Miller, 
Samuel  Miller, 
George  Philip  Mohr, 


Adam  Miller. 
George  Ringer. 
Andrew  Roth. 
John   Rnth.  Jr.. 
Henry  Roth. 
Michael  Ringer. 
William  Rennel, 
John  Reyf, 
Conrad   Snyder, 
Philip  Schweitzer, 
Paul    Storm. 
Frederick  Selcker, 
Jacob  Snyder.  Jr., 
Adam  Schcnck, 
John  Seder, 
Peter  Sheaffer, 
Jacob   Schmitt, 
George  Welsh, 
Jacob  Weber, 
Adam  Wilt, 
Yost  Wahl, 
Jacob  Ziegler. 


Captain. 
George  Hoover. 

Lieutenants. 
Jacob  Hederick, 
John  Sharrer. 
Ensign. 
Frederick  Meyer. 
Sergeants, 
Samuel  Glassick, 
Laurence  Rohrbach, 
Theobald  Snyder, 
Michael  Behler. 

Corporals, 
John  Adarmel, 
George  Kaltreider, 
Michael  Lorick. 
Privates, 


Jacob  Behler, 
Jacob  Bear,  Jr., 
George  Bortner, 
Daniel  Bear. 
William  Becker. 
Samuel   Brenneman, 
John   Brodbeck, 
John   Bower, 
Benjamin  Brenneman, 
William    Brenneman, 
Jacob  Bear,  Sr., 
Peter  Castello, 
Helfrey  Craumer, 
Nicholas   Dehoff, 
George  Dehoff, 
Peter   Diskin, 
Abraham  Eberhart, 
Wendel  Eberhart, 
"Jacob   Eppeis, 
Frederick  Frashcr, 
Adam   Foltz, 
Ulrich    Followeider, 
Jacob   Followeider, 
Frederick    Fisher, 
John  Followeider, 
Peter  Gerberick, 
John  Gantz, 
Jacob  Greist, 
Leonard    Girkenhyscr, 
Peter  Henning, 
LHrich  Hoover, 
Michael   Henning, 
Jacob  Houser, 
George  Hamspachcr, 


George  Hoover, 
John   Hoover, 
Daniel  Jones, 
Theobald  Kaltreider, 
Thomas  King, 
Abraham   Keller, 
Peter  Krebs, 
George  Krebs, 
Ulrich  Kneyer, 
Leonard  Kneyer, 
Samuel  Lorick, 
Conrad  Ludwig, 
Henry  Menche, 
Flenrv  Newcomer, 
John '  Ott, 

Christian   Rohrbach,  Jr., 
Frederick  Roadarmel, 
Jacob   Roadarmel, 
Henry  Rohrbach, 
Nicholas  Rvbold. 
Vv'illiam  Ruhl. 
Matthias  Rybold, 
George  Rybold, 
Adam  Rybold, 
Henry  Roberts, 
John  Ruhl, 
Clementz  Ruhl. 
Martin  Snyder, 
George  Smith, 
Martin   Sheyerer, 
Matthias  Si'nith. 
Jacob   Sharrer. 
Zacharias   Shug, 
Michael    Shcverer, 


Henry   Skiles.  John   Werner, 

Christopher  Snyder,  Jacob  Ziegler,  Jr., 

Isaac  Varnum,  Jacob   Ziegler,    Sr., 

Richard   Willart,  Michael  Ziegler. 
Nicholas  Weyant, 

The  Second  Battalion  of  Associators  was 
organized  in  1775  by  Colonel  Robert  AIc- 
Pherson,  of  Marsh  Creek,  and  included  per- 
sons living  in  the  present  area  of  Adams 
County.  Part  of  this  battalion  enlisted  in 
the  Second  Regiment  of  the  Flying  Camp, 
at  Perth  Amboy,  New  Jersey,  in  1776.  The 
officers  at  the  time  of  organization,  in  1775, 
were  "Robert  McPherson,  colonel;  David 
Kennedy,  lieutenant-colonel;  Moses  Mc- 
Clean  and  Hugh  Dunwoodie,  majors.  The 
muster  roll  of  only  one  company  of  this 
battalion  was  preserved.  The  rank  and 
file  of  some  of  the  companies  enlisted  in  the 
Seventh  Pennsylvania  Line,  commanded  by 
Colonel  David  Grier. 


Captain. 

Hugh  Campbell. 

First  Lieutenant. 

William  Lowther. 

.Seeond  Lieutenant, 

Robert  ]\IcElhenney. 

Ensign, 

Simon  Vanarsdalen. 

Sergeants, 

Joseph  Hunter. 
John  Armstrong 
Corporals. 

John    McCush. 

William  Leach. 

Drummer, 

John   Banta. 

Fifer, 

Andrew  Little. 

Privates, 


Cornelius    Cosine, 
Alexander  Wilson, 

Alexander  Bogle, 
James  McElhenney, 


Arthur  Beaty, 
Hugh   McL.'iughlin, 
William   Duffield, 
Samuel  McManemy, 
Jacob   Smock, 
Francis   Monfort, 
Benedict   Yeary, 
Henry  Little, 
William   Carsman, 
John  McCance. 
Robert   Stewart, 
Abran'i  Banta, 
Joseph  Weast, 
John  Hope, 
Benjamin   Leach, 
Robert  Barber, 
Jaines  Hutchison, 
Charles  Orr, 
Robert  McGowan, 
Thotuas  Orbison, 
Hugh   McWilliams, 
William  McCance, 


Jacob  Swiser, 
John  Cumingore, 
Nathaniel  Porter, 
Abraham  Brewer, 
Lawrence   Alonfort, 
John   Sage, 
David  Casart, 
John  Willson, 
Charles  Timmons, 
Andrew   McKiney, 
Andrew  Shiley, 
Frederick  Shetz, 
Henry  Little, 
Peter'  Millar, 
Andrew  Hunter, 
James  Lyon, 
Nicholas  Millar, 
Patrick  Hogan, 
Farrah  Doran, 
Stephen  Giffen, 
James  McCreary, 
Orbin  Wence. 


Amboy,   Septcmlier    17,    1776.     Mustered 
then,    I    captain,   2  lieutenants,    i   ensign,   3 


THE   REVOLUTION 


265 


sergeants,  3  corporals,   i   drummer,   i   fifer, 
34  privates. 

Sixteen  enlisted  in  the  Flying  Camp,  4  on 
guard,  I  sick  absent,  i  sick  present,  i  on 
furlough. 

The  Third  Battalion  of  Associators  was 
organized  in  1775  by  Colonel  Richard  Mc- 
Allister, of  Hanover,  who  commanded  the 
Second  Pennsylvania  Regiment  of  the 
Flying  Camp,  in  which  a  large  number  of 
his  men  enlisted  at  Perth  Amboy,  New  Jer- 
sey, in  1776.  After  the  organization  of  the 
state  militia,  in  1777,  the  Third  Battalion 
was  commanded  by  Colonel  David  Jameson. 
Part  of  this  battalion  served  under  Jameson 
at  Germantown,  White  Alarsh  and  minor 
engagements  in  1777.  It  was  organized  in 
1775  out  of  the  Associators  in  the  town- 
ships of  Heidelberg,  Berwick.  Paradise, 
Mt.  Pleasant,  Manheim  and  Germany. 

Caftain, 

Jacob  Beaver. 

First  Lieutenant. 

Xicholas  Baker. 

Second  Lieittenant, 

John   Bare. 

Ensign, 

George  Lefeber. 

Privates, 


Henry  Albright, 
John   Auber. 
George  Auble, 
George  Autick, 
Conrad   Brubaker, 
Nicholas   Bentz, 
Michael  Broocker, 
Henry  Bear, 
John   Byer, 
Henry  Byer, 
Jacob  Byer, 
William  Bradley, 
George  Beaner, 
Michael   Baymiller, 
John  Croan,.  Sr., 
John  Croan, 
Samuel  Christ, 
Jacob  Dey,  v 
Peter  Ditty, 
John  Dellinger, 
Henry  Deethoff. 
Jacob  Dellinger, 
John  Douchki, 
Michael  Dush, 
Nicholas  Dey,  — 
Ulrich  Eleberger, 
John  Ebay, 
Frederick   Eaty, 
Frederick  Fitz, 
Philip  Fry. 
John  Gohn, 
Philip   Gohn. 
Andrew  Gilbert, 4 
Philip  German, 
Michael   Garious, 
Francis  Graff, 


George  Gause, 
James  Hines, 
Adam  Heindel, 
Michael  Holder, 
Philip    Hune, 
.■\ndre\v  Heins, 
Lorentz  Hersinger, 
Laurence   Heindel,  Jr., 
Daniel  Harkens, 
Henry  Heltzel, 
Michael  Henry,  Jr.,  '^ 
John   Imenheiser. 
Jeremiah  Johnson, 
Anthony  Keller, 
.•\aron  Kephsnyder, 
Michael   Koffeld, 
Martin  Kealer, 
Frederick  Lambert, 
Christopher   Landis, 
Conrad  Lookhoup. 
John  Leaphart. 
Frederick  Lebeknecht. 
Conrad  Lora, 
John  Landis, 
Conrad  Lever, 
Philip   Milhove, 
->Michael  Mosser, 
John  Mude, 
George   Maxfield. 
Charles  Means, 
James  Murphy, 
Christopher   Noble, 
Adam  Pauls, 
Laurence  Paul, 
George  Poff. 
Nathan  Phersize, 


Michael    Petcrman, 
Christian  Rothfon, 
George  Rinehard, 
Henry  Ruby, 
Joseph  Rch, 
John  Rupert, 
John  Stair,  — 
Peter  Stcap, 
John  Smith, 
Adam  Stentler, 
James  Strong, 
Conrad   Shaeffcr, 
Jacob   Stakcnar, 
Peter  Seacat, 
Jacob  Stromenger, 
Jacob  Strickler, 


John  Simson, 
Philip  Stees, 
Peter  Swartz, 
John  Shenberger, 
Peter  Treckler, 
John  Tome, 
Paul  Tritt, 
Peter  Tritt, 
John  Weber, 
Peter  Wambach, 
George  Woolpack, 
Ulrich  Weber, 
Nicholas  Young, 
Michael   Zimmerman, 
Michael  Ziegler, 
Philip  . 


Captain, 

Godfrey  Fry. 

First  Lieutenant, 

John  Bushong. 

Second  Lieutenant, 

George  Spangler. 

Ensign, 

James  Jones. 

Privates, 


John  Bush, 
Wier  Bentz, 
George  Boly, 
Christian  Betz, 
Jacob  Byer, 
George  Bentz, 
Henry  Breninger, 
George  Brown, 
Nicholas  Deal, 
Peter  Deal, 
Samuel  Detweiler, 
George  Deal, 
Jacob  Fleger, 
Peter  Foust, 
Jacob  Freed, 
George  Fliger, 
Michael  Fishel, 
Henry  Greenawalt, 
John  Gusler, 
Christian  Hogman, 
Frederick  Houshill, 
John   Immel, 
Henry  Jones, 
William  Johnston, 
Jacob  Keller, 
Michael  Kurtz, 
Jacob  Koch, 
Conrad  Kissinger, 
Yogam  Leaman, 
Stephen  Landis, 
George  Ley, 
Peter  Leman, 
Jacob  Lehman, 


Jacob  Lefever, 

Andrew  Miller, 

Jacob  Morks, 
_-Daniel  Mosser, 

John  Minster, 

George  Michael  Peter, 

Peter  Peter, 

Edward  Prion, 

John  Rode, 

John  Rankin. 

Godfrj'  Sumwalt, 

Matthias  Stuart, 

Henry  Stouffer, 
—William   Sprenkle, 

Christian   Shewe, 

Daniel  Stouffer, 

John  Spangler, 

Jacob  Speck. 

Jonas  Spangler, 

Christian  Sipe. 

Philip  Spangler, 

Martin  Speck, 

Michael   Spangler, 

rtenry  Spangler, 

George  Swartz, 

John   Stuart, 

James   Shaw, 

John  Trychler, 

Henry  Wissendaul, 

Peter  Wolf, 

Martin  Wcller, 

Abraham  Welshans. 

Captain, 
Peter  Forte.     , 


First  Lieutenant. 

Christopher  Stoehr. 

Second  Lieutenant, 

Andrew  Hertzog. 

Ensign, 

Jacob  Welshance. 

Privates, 


Henry  Bouch. 
Henry  Booser, 
Henry  Bonix, 
Joseph  Craft, 
.Abraham   Danner, 


Peter  Dinkle, 
Lawrence  Etter, 
Jacob  Ereon, 
John  Edward, 
Michael  Edward, 


266 


HISTORY   OF  YORK  COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


George  Fry, 
George  Fritz, 
William  Fondorow, 
Jacob   Fackler, 
John  Good, 
John  Gohoet, 
Henry  Hofe, 
Vincent  Infelt, 
Isaac  Jones, 
Francis  Jones, 
James  Kopp, 
Francis  Koontz, 
Henry  King, 
Daniel  Kiser, 
John  Kean, 
Nathaniel  Lightner, 
Samuel  Leidy, 
Frederick  Laumaster, 
Godfry  Loneberger, 
George  Mock. 
William  McMun, 
Henry  Myer, 
James   McCullock, 
Alexander   McKitrich, 
Andrew    Nunemaker, 
George  Nebinger, 
John  Peasley, 
Matthias  Pourt, 


John   Probst, 
Abraham   Pick, 
George  Peck, 
Anthony  Ritz, 
Godfry  Ream, 
Thomas  Ryon, 
Anthony  Rous, 
Peter  Rose, 
James  Smith, 
Killian   Small, 
George  Shook, 
—Jacob  Sprenkle, 
John  Shultz, 
Martin  Shreader, 
Philip  Shipe, 
Peter  Schlimer, 
Frederick  Tombach, 
Joseph    Updegraff, 
Jacob  Updegraff,  Jr., 
Jacob  Weaber, 
Adam  Wolf, 
William  White, 
Frederick  Wyer, 
John  Wolf,  Jr., 
David  Welshans, 
John   Welch. 
George  Waldimyer, 
Frederick  Youse. 


Henrv  Walter, 
John 'Wolf, 
Ludwig  Weisang, 
Jacob  Welchance, 
John  Williamson, 


Captain, 
Christopher  Lowman. 

First  Lieutenant, 

Ephraim   Pennington. 

Second  Lieutenant, 

John   Fishel. 

Ensign, 

Charles  Barnitz. 


John  Alifred, 
Henry  Bentz, 
Jacob  Bahn, 
Martin  Breneisen, 
Thomas  Beltzhoover, 
Leonard  Benel, 
Leonard  Bensel, 
Andrew   Billmeyer, 
ilichael   Billmeyer, 
Frederick   Bringman, 
Valentine  Breneisen, 
John   Biers, 
Felix  Conoway, 
Alexander  M.  Conagle, 
John  Dubman, 
Alexander   Donaldson, 
Philip  Endler, 
Samuel  Fisher, 
Martin  Flinchbaugh, 
Martin  Flinchbaugh, 
Samuel  Fisher, 
Martin  Frey, 
Adam  Gardner, 
Abram  Gravious, 
George   Goodyear, 
John   Gorgus, 
Philip  Greber, 
Philip  Heckert, 
Christian   Hecketurn, 
Andrew  Hoffman, 
Frederick  Housman, 
John  Hickson, 
George  Hope, 
Thomas  Hickson, 
Jacob  Houck, 
Samuel  Koontz, 


Privates, 

George  Kidy, 
Michael  Keller, 
Henry  Kyfer, 
IViartin  Kearman, 
Abram  Knisely, 
John  Leisser, 
Jacob  Letter, 
William  Lanius, 
John  Myer, 
Conrad   Miller, 

-^  Michael  Mosser, 
Conrad   Miller, 

A  Michael  Mosser, 
Jacob  Miller, 
Edward   McDermot, 
Casper  Miller, 
Thomas  Owen, 
John   Patterson, 
John  Pick, 
Thomas   Prior, 
Peter  Real, 
Peter  Real, 
Christopher  Slagle, 
George   Schlosser, 
Jacob  Snerely, 
George  Snyder, 
Jacob  Shook, 
Jacob  Snyder, 
Matthias  Sitler, 
Jacob  Schram, 
Abram   Sitler, 
Peter  Shitz, 
Joseph  Tott, 
George  Test, 
Joseph  Updegraff, 
Samuel  Updegraff, 


Michael  Welsh, 
John  Wiles, 
George  Weller, 
Henry  Welch. 

Captain, 

Alexander  Ligget. 

First  Lieutenant, 

Robert  Richey. 

Second  Lieutenant, 

Robert  Stuart. 

Ensign, 

Peter  Fry. 

Privates, 


Aaron  Arsdale, 
Andrew   Brown, 
Rendal  Cross, 
John  Cadge, 
James  Cross, 
John  Eff, 
Archibald  Eason, 
Robert  Eakin, 
John  Fisher, 
Bernat  Fry, 
Conrad  Fry, 
Paul  Gier, 
David  Good, 
Adam  Gohn, 
Robert  Greenless, 
Conrad  Gyer, 
Frederick   Hamer, 
Christopher  Heindel, 
John   Handerson, 
Adam  Hindly, 
Alexander  Handerson, 
Craft  Hcrmal, 
Jacob  Imsweller, 
Jacob   Imsweller, 
Richard  Jones, 
Peter  Koble, 
Alexander  Lewis, 
John  Lynck, 
Christian  Laundes, 
Samuel   Laundes, 
Christian  Lootz, 
Henry  Long, 
William   Ligget, 
Henry  Myer, 
John   Myers, 
James  McCavick, 
James  McNarey, 
Henry  Miller, 


Michael  Miller, 
Henry   McGarrah, 
Samuel   McCowen, 

Nathan   McCoy,   ■ 

Jacob  Neff, 
Melker  Ortas, 
Peter  Offer, 
Daniel  Peterman, 
Christopher   Fetters, 
John    Peterman, 
John  Russel, 
Peter  Reisinger, 
Henry  Reineberger, 
Thomas  Robertson, 
James  Ross, 
Jacob  Ruby, 
John  Smook,  Jr., 
Jacob  Smook, 
Philip  Slifer, 
Jacob  Stegner, 
George  Smith, 
INIartin  Slinger, 
barkley  Sayler, 
Stephen   Slifer, 
Baltzer  Shenberger, 
Andrew  Slinger, 
George  Tyse, 
Henry  Teckert, 
Henry  Tyson, 
Benjamin  Tyson, 
George  Woolbeck, 
Andrew  White, 
Philip  Wambach, 
Michael   Wambach, 
George  Wambach, 
Leonard  Young, 
William  Young, 
Abraham  Young. 


Captain, 

George  Long. 

First  Lieutenant, 

Samuel  Smith. 

Second  Lieutenant, 

Conrad  Keesey. 

Ensign, 

Samuel  Mosser. 

Privates, 


Henry  Alt, 
Michael   Albright, 
Felix  Albright, 
Peter  Byer, 
John  Bushong, 
Michael  Bettinger, 
Jacob   Bettinger, 
Jacob  Bh'myer, 
Christian   Elymyer, 
Henry  Dolman, 
George    Ditterheffer, 


Henry  Dome, 
Bastian   Erig, 
Adam  Fishel, 
Henry  Fisher, 
Frederick  Fliger, 
Jacob  Fliger, 
Casper  Fisher, 
Adam  Flinchbaugh, 
Michael  Grimm, 
Peter    Grimm, 
Philip   Grimm, 


THE    REVOLUTIOX 


267 


Yost  Getz, 
Jacob  Geescy, 
Michael   Harnish. 
George  Hardline, 
Michael   Hinico, 
Jacob    Inner?. 
Yost   Kerchhard, 
John   Kerchhard. 
Bernard    Kousler, 
lohn    Long, 
Felix  .Miller, 
lohn   Myer, 
\Villiani   Miller, 
George   Neaf, 
Ulrich  Xeaf, 
Andrew  Pefferman, 
Jacob  Reman, 
William  Rigert, 


John   Reigert, 
■H^eter  Sprenkle. 
Henry  Snell, 
Peter  Sins, 
Jacob  Sebauld, 
Nicholas  Sins, 
Jacob  Shearer,  Jr., 
Martin  Stook, 
John   Shoemaker, 
Alichael   Sytz, 
Conrad  Shentler, 
Christian  Shetler, 
Jacob    Shearer, 
Abrani    Swingwiler, 
George  Wilhelm, 
Nicholas  Waltman, 
Liulwick  Waltman. 


Captain. 

Michael  Halm. 

First  Lieutenant, 

John  Minn. 

Second  Lieutenant, 

Thomas  Iron   (Erion). 

Ensign, 

Christian  Sinn. 


Privates, 


Frederick  Aderhold, 
Jacob  Bernhard, 
Xicholas  Brand, 
Peter  Bear, 
Charles  Brooks, 
John  Bear, 
George  Craft, 
-John  Collins, 
David  Candler, 
Adam   Cookes. 
Michael  Doudel, 
Jacob   Durang, 
Jacob   Eichinger, 
Thomas   Eaton, 
Jacob   Funk, 
John   Flender, 
.Adam  Greber, 
Martin  Greber, 
Jacob  Gardner, 
John  Greber, 
George  Gees, 
Christian  Herman, 
Ludwig  Headick, 
Christian    Ilginfritz, 
George   Irvin, 
Samuel  Johnston, 
John  Kurtz, 
Mr.  Kenety, 
John  Kunkle, 
William  Kersey, 
Xathaniel  Lightner, 
William  Long, 
William  Love, 
James  Love, 
John   Love, 
Conrad  Letherman, 
James  McLaughlin, 
George  Maul, 


James  McKea, 
Paul  Metzgar, 
Peter   Mundorf, 
Jacob   Xewman, 
Frederick  Pickle, 
Enoch   Pennett. 
Jacob  Rothrock, 
Christopher  Sheeley, 
Jacob  Schriber, 
Jacob  Shaffer, 
Jacob  Shank, 
Simon  Snyder, 
iBaltzer  Spangler, 
George    Shall. 
Andrew   Shetley, 
John   Shultz. 

George    Michael    Spangler, 
George  Stull, 
Rudolph  Spangler, 
John   Shall, 
George  Stake, 
John   Shuhz    (hatter), 
Xathan  Updegraff, 
Abram  L'pdegraff, 
Ambrose  Updegraff, 
Jacob  LTpp, 
William  Welsh, 
John  Wall. 
John  Welsh. 
Michael  Widener, 
Francis  Worley, 
Henry  Wolf, 
Michael  Wey, 
Andrew  Welsh, 
George  Wilt. 
Philip   Weltzheimer, 
Matthias  Zimmer. 


Ca/>tain. 

Daniel  Eyster. 

Privates. 


John  Albrecht, 
Jacob  Becker,  Jr., 
Michael  Carl, 
Jacob  Delong, 
George  Drey, 


Paul  Drey. 
John  Eburr. 
Herman   Emerick. 
Christopher  Foulk, 
George   Foulk, 


Matthias  Frey, 
Carl   Gciger, 
Jacob  Geiger, 
Christian  Gerber, 
George  Gerber, 
Christian  Grieft, 
Henry  Hefner, 
Jacob  Hefner, 
Andrew  Helwig, 
Abraham  Herb, 
Sebastian  Herb, 
Christian  Hoch, 
Adam  Hubcr. 
George  Huber, 
Jacob  Hueder, 
Thomas  Hunt, 
Peter  Kiefer, 
Jacob  Langalt, 
Abraham  Lemritz, 
Nicholas   Lemritz, 
Jacob  Long, 
Xicholas   Meyer, 
Philip   Miller, 
George  Oberdorff. 
Herman  Oberdorff, 
Jacob  Pott, 


George  Reber,    ,,„--' 
Michael  Reider, 
Christian  Reiff, 
Henry  Reiff, 
Christian  Reiss, 
Conrad  Reiss, 
George  Reiss, 
Michael  Satler, 
Melchoir  Schaum, 
John  Scheiter, 
John   Schuler, 
Jacob  Shacffcr, 
George  Shiver, 
John  Shiver, 
John  Shiver  (Shier), 
Philip  Shiver, 
Daniel  Sowasch, 
Henry    Sowasch, 
Valentine   Starr, 
Adam  Sweiger, 
Casper  Werfel, 
Philip  Wanemacher.— 
Adam  Zidnier, 
Anthony  Zidnier, 
Andrew  Ziegler, 


The  muster  roll  of  the  Fourth  Battalion, 
organized  in  1775,  cannot  be  found.  This 
battalion,  composed  of  Associa'tors  from 
Shrewsbury,  Chanceford,  Fawn  and  Hope- 
well Townships,  was  originally  commanded 
by  Colonel  William  Smith,  with  Francis 
Holton,  lieutenant-colonel;  John  Gibson 
and  John  Finley,  majors.  The  following  is 
the  muster  roll  of  one  company  from 
Slirewsbury  Township : 

Captain, 
Gideon  Bausley. 

First  Lieutenant, 

John  Patrick. 

Second  Lieutenant, 

Peter  Smith. 

Ensign, 

Conrad  Taylor. 

Sergeants, 
John  McDonald, 
David  Jones, 
John  Freeland, 
John  Cleek, 
Corporal, 
Anthonv  Miller. 


Privates, 


Jacob  Alt, 
John  Ball, 
Stophel  Baker, 
James  Douglas. 
Thomas  Foster, 
Conrad   Free, 
James  Freeland, 
Michael  Howman, 
Sophel  Heively, 
Adam  Hendricks, 
Thomas  Hunt, 
Jacob  Hedrick, 
John    Hendricks, 
Samuel  Jones. 
Michael   Jordan, 
Xathan  Jones, 


John  Loran. 
James  Marshall, 
John  Miller. 
Alexander  Osborn, 
John  Orr, 
Joshua  Pearse, 
Xicholas  Rodgers, 
Frederick  Shinliver, 
Postle  Sheeling, 
Thomas  Sparks, 
George   Sword, 
John  Taylor, 
Stophel  Wisehart, 
George  Waltmyer, 
Aquilla  Willey. 


268 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY,   PEXXSYLVANIA 


The  Fifth  Battalion  of  Associators  was 
organized  in  the  townships  of  Dover,  New- 
berry, Monaghan,  Warrington,  Hunting- 
don and  Reading.  It  was  originally  com- 
manded by  Colonel  William  Rankin.  The 
following  companies  served  in  that  bat- 
talion : 

Ca/'tain. 

Michael  Ege. 

First  Lieutenant, 

Joseph  Spangler. 

Second  Lieutenant, 

James  Liggit. 

Ensign, 

Reuben  Fedro. 

Second  .Sergeant, 

Joseph  Keeppers. 

First  Corporal, 

Adam  DantHnger. 

Second  Corporal, 

Thomas  White. 

Privates, 

James  Porter, 
.'Xmos  Povvel, 
John  Rose, 
William  Smith. 
.\ndrew   Stover, 
John  Steiner, 
Peter   Steiner, 
Frederick  Scepter, 
Casper   Stoner, 
Michael  Uhl, 
Edward  Woods, 
George  White, 
Jacob  Weston, 
Stophel   Weinmiller, 
Stophel   Zimmerman. 


John   .\lsop, 
George  Batchler, 
Edward  Barton, 
George   Conrad. 
William  Chapman, 

-/■John  Davis. 

'    George   Dashner, 
Thomas   Eisenal, 
Michael  Fissel, 
Henry  Fissel, 
Tobias  Heine, 
Frederick  Hovias. 
Henry  Krone, 
Jacob   Lishy, 
Thomas   Pussel, 
Thomas  Parker, 


John  Aby, 
George  Attig, 
Henry  Albrecht. 
John  Aber, 
George  Aber, 
John  Ber, 
Henry  Ber. 
Hales  Brit, 
Michael  Bentz, 
Michael  Baymiller, 
Michael  Bennet, 
Jacob  Beyer, 
Philip   Beyer, 
John  Beyer, 
Henry   Beyer, 
Jacob  Berber, 
Peter  Breckler, 
James   Bruck, 
Conrad  Biilhans, 
George  Boner, 
Michael  Bricker, 
William  Critly, 
Conrad  Cara, 
John  Crone,  Jr., 
John  Crone,  Sr., 


Captain, 
Jacob  Blester. 

First  Lieutenant. 

Nicholas  Beck. 

Ensign. 

George  Lafeiber. 
Privates, 

Nicholas  Day, 
Jacob  Day, 
Michael  Dast, 
John  Dauchge, 
Jacob  Dellinger, 
John  Dellinger, 
Peter  Dritt, 
Peter  Diete, 
Henry  Diethoss, 
Conrad   Elleberger, 
John  Frey, 
Philip  Frey, 
I'Vederick  Fitz, 
Philip  Gun, 
Andreas   Gilbert, 
Philip  Gun, 
John  Gon, 
Frantz   Graft, 
Michael   Garius, 
Michael  Henry,  Sr., 
Michael  Henry,  Jr., 
Lawrence  Hirschinger, 
Matthias   Hartford. 
Michael  Holder, 
Daniel  Herkens, 


y 


Anthony  Heins, 
James  Heins, 
Samuel  Heist, 
Adam  Hales, 
Lawrence   Hales, 
George   Hass, 
Adam  Handel, 
Lawrence  Handel, 
Henry  Haltzel, 
Philip   Herman, 
John   Imsheiser, 
Michael  Kaffeld. 
Anthony  Keller, 
Martin  Kuler, 
Frederick  Lambert, 
Christcl   Landis, 
John  Landis, 
Nicholas   Leber, 
Frederick  Lieberknecht, 
John   Libhart, 
Conrad  Leber. 
John   Muth, 
Jared  Mines, 
Jacob  Meyer. 
George   I\Iaxel, 
Michael   Moster, 
James  Murphv. 
Philip  Mulhof,  Sr., 
Philip   Mulhof,  Jr., 
Christof   Nagel, 
Michael    Peterman, 
George   Paff, 


Joseph  Reh, 
John  Rupert, 
Henry  Rupert, 
George  Reinhardt. 
Christian  Rathsban, 
Peter  Stab, 
John   Simden, 
Jacob   Stagmeier. 
Jacob  Strominger, 
John   Schmidt, 
Adam  Stantler, 
James  Shandon, 
Jacob  Strickler, 
John   Star, 
Conrad  Scheffer. 
Peter  Sekatz, 
Peter  Schwartz, 
John    Shenberger, 
James  Strang, 
Jacob  Thorn, 
John  Thom, 
Frederick  LUz, 
John  Weber, 
George  Wollbach, 
Peter  Wambach. 
George  Wachtel, 
Aaron-  Westsnyder, 
John  Weil, 
Ulrich  Weber, 
Nicholas  Young, 
Michael    Ziegler, 
Michael  Zimmerman. 


Captain  iMartin  Shetter,  who  resided  in 
the  vicinity  of  Lewisberry,  York  County, 
commanded  a  militia  company,  which 
served  during  part  of  the  Revolution. 
This  company  belonged  to  the  present  area 
of  Newberry  and  Fairview  Townships,  in 
York  County,  and  in  1782,  its  muster  roll 
was  as  follows : 


Andrew    Cline, 
Thomas  Winry, 
John   Weire, 
John   Cochcnauer, 
Philip   Beacher. 

George   Miller, 
Jacob  Bear, 
Ludwig  Weire, 
John  Hencock, 
Peter  Zeller, 

Abraham  Shelley, 
Valentine   Shultz, 
George  Strine,  Jr., 
Frederick  Zorger, 
Philip  Fettro, 
James   Hencock, 

Andrew  Beadman, 
Michael    Roessler, 
Jacob  Heier. 
Samuel    Braton. 
John  Thaylor. 


First   Class, 

Frederick  Weaver, 
George   Streine, 
Joseph  Cobele, 
Joseph   Oren. 

Second  Class, 

Emanuel   Beare, 
John  Finch, 
John  Hetrick. 
Abraham   Shell.v. 

Tliird  Class. 
Jr.,  George  Mayers, 


Andrew  Miller, 
Jacob  Heidelbouch, 
Jacob  Forney, 
Henry   Strine. 

Fonrtli  Class, 

William  Rise, 
Henry  Bush, 
John  Heidelbouch. 
James   Hess. 


Fifth 


Thomas  Miller, 
Christian  Baumgartner, 
Peter   Pence, 
Henry  Roessler, 


Class, 

James  Love, 
Matthias  Zerger. 
Michael  Wagner, 
George   Bash. 


'J'llE    RE\'(')LUTIOX 


269 


Si.vth  Class, 

Frederick  Sline, 
Abraliara  Stiiic, 
Lorentz  Wolf,  ' 
John  Colgen, 
John  Breneman. 
Seventh  Class. 

Herman  Sncidcr, 
Michael  Row, 
Jacob  Weier, 
Joseph  Fettero, 
Henry  Shultz. 
Eighth  Class, 
Jacob  Kaplor,  William  Barton, 

William  Winry.  John  !Mathias, 

Tonatlian   AlcCrcary,  Daniel  Brua, 

John  Hurst,  Peter  Miller. 

Adam  Snider, 


Joseph   Garrctson, 
Cornelius  Garrctson, 
Daniel   Densyl, 
Emoss   Lewis, 
John   Fettero, 


llenry    John, 
George   Mansbcrger, 
Peter   Densyl, 
Michael   Coppenhoefer, 
Henry  Bauer, 


Alex.  Threw, 
Robert  Torbcrt, 
John  Taylor, 
William  Thomson, 
John  Webb, 


Hugh   Whiteford, 
Samuel    Willson, 
I'enjamin  Willson, 
William  Wallace, 
John   Williamson.  _ 


'I'lie  Sixth  Battalion  of  York  County 
Alilitia,  organized  in  1776,  was  composed  of 
eight  companies.  It  was  commanded  in 
1777-8  by  Colonel  \\'illiam  Ross,  with  /jasper 'cienients, 
David  ^Miller  as  major.  The  following  is  a  Robert^  Dixon, 
complete  list  of  eight  companies  from 
different  sections  of  York  Countv: 


David  Anderson, 
John  Anderson, 
John   Bohanan, 
John   Blosser, 
Peter   Bryfugle, 
Anthony   Beaman, 
William  Boyd, 
Henry  Cunningham, 
Henry  Craig, 
Robert   Carswell, 
Stepliens  Cornelius, 


Captain. 


Robert  Armstrong, 
William   Bolentine, 
Benjamin   Bifet, 
Samuel  Bohanan, 
Jonathon   Burgess, 
James  Breckenridge, 
Tames    Buchanan, 
William  Clark. 
Benjamin   Ciumingham, 
Alex.   Cooper, 
Nicholas   Cooper, 
John  Commins, 
Samuel  Cuning, 
William  Carkey, 
William  Coloin, 
Hugh  Crawford, 
Thomas  Cooper, 
Richard  Cord, 
John    Cooper, 
William  Cooper, 
Patrick   Downey, 
John   Doherty, 
William  Davis, 
Isaac  Davis, 
James  Edgar, 
Robert  Fliwen, 
Hugh  Faton, 
Samuel  Fulton, 
Archibald   Greeless, 
Robert  Glenn, 
John   Glendenon. 
William  Galougher, 
James  Galeagher, 
James  Heirs, 
.  Joseph  Henry. 
Thomas   Hawkins, 
John   Halbort, 


Laird. 
First  Lieutenant, 
William   Reed. 

Ensign. 

David   Steelt. 

Privates, 

Theophilas  Jones, 
John  Lemon, 
James  Lard, 
John  Lewiston, 
Abram  Mickey, 
Edward  Morris, 
James   Milligan, 
Thomas   Morris, 
George   Mitchell, 
John   McCandless, 
Thomas  Matson, 
Matthias  Morrison, 
Samuel   Mclsaac, 
James   McCroney, 
John   Major, 
William    Mclleny, 
Jacob    McCulough, 
Michael   McMullcn, 
•John  Xeal, 
George   Nicle, 
Theodore  Patten, 
Pattrick  Quigley, 
William  Rowen, 
Jacob  Reed. 
William  Russel, 
James    Robinson, 
Andrew  Rowen, 
Joseph  Ross. 
Robert   Rowland, 
Thomas   Steel, 
William  Snodgrass, 
James   Sample, 
Josiah   Scott, 
Patrick   Scott. 
James  Sims, 
John  Thomson. 
John  Tagcrt, 


John  Duncan, 
George  Egert, 
Nicholas  Feeple, 
Andrew  Fulton, 
David   Gemmill, 
John  Griffith. 
Evan  Griffith, 
Henry  Householder, 
Stophel   Hively, 
Jacob   Householder, 
James  Hamilton, 
Solomon  James, 
John  Mclsaac, 
James  McAllister, 
— ^iobert  McCay, 
James  McElroy, 


I'irst  Lieutenant, 

Isaac   McKissick. 

Second  Lieutenant, 

John   Smith. 

Ensign, 

Thomas  Dixon. 

Privates, 

Michael  Morrison, 
William  Melurg, 
William  Neilson, 
John  Neilson, 
Joseph  Nowland, 
Martin   Overmiller, 
James  Pegan, 
Elisha  Pew, 
James  Purdy, 
Patrick  Purdy, 
David  Proudfoot, 
Robert   Proudfoot, 
Andrew    Proudfoot, 
Sanuiel   Rosborough, 
Adaui   Reed, 
John   Smith, 
William  Smith, 
Robert  Swan, 
Robert  Straffort, 
Jacob  Sadler, 
Samuel  Smith, 
James  Steel, 
Francis   Sechrist, 
Frederick  Satler, 
Andrew  Thompson, 
James  Young, 
Benjamin  Yont, 
Jacob  Yost. 


Jr., 


Robert   Addair, 

John  Carker, 

Philip  Conol, 

John  Duncan, 

Aaron   Finley. 

Samuel   Fullerton. 

William   Fullerton 

Robert  Finley, 
X  George  Henry, 

Thomas  Kirkwood, 

Francis  Helton, 
'    James   Henry. 
'  William   Henry, 

William   Johnson, 

Patrick   King, 

James  Kirk. 

Joseph   Kellit, 

John  Lusk, 

James   Lodge. 

Samuel  ^Lartin, 

John   McMillon, 

.Mexander    .McAllister 

Robert  Martin, 

Henry  McCormick, 


CaMain, 

Joseph   Reed. 

First  Lieutenant, 

Robert  Smith. 

Ensign. 

Samuel  Collins. 

Privates, 

Frederick  McPherson, 
William    Mahlin, 
William  Martin. 
Samuel    McMichacl,    ._ 
Samuel   Nelson, 
Riiliert  Nelson. 
William  Nichol. 
Alexander  Orr. 
James  Paterson, 
William   Patterson, 
S.imuel   Peden, 
IX-ivid   Patterson. 
Benjamin    Pedan, 
James   Robinson, 
John  Robinson, 
James  Ridgeway, 
Hugh  Reed, 
Samuel  Reed. 
Row  leu  Stevens. 
William  Tulerton, 
Michael   Travis. 
George  Thompson, 
John    Wallace. 
John  Williams, 


-'70 


HISTORY   OF  YORK  COUNTY,    PEXXSYLWVXIA 


Aaron  Wallace, 
Matthias  Wallace, 
William  Wallace, 


John  Wallace. 
Aloses  Wallace. 


Captain, 
Joseph  Reed  (Ferryman). 


Captain. 

Joseph  Aloffit. 

First  Lieutenant, 

Andrew  Warrick. 

Second  Lieutenant, 

Samuel  Moor. 

Ensign, 
James  Wilson. 


Privates, 


James   Agnew. 
Robert  Anderson, 
James  Anderson, 
Nthemiah  Armstrong, 
John  Anderson, 
Thomas  Balden, 
William   Comon, 
Patrick  Colwell, 
John  Cross, 
Joseph  Cross, 

•  Conaday, 

William    Douglass, 
Patrick   Douglass, 
^Matthias   Ewen, 
Samuel  Elliot. 
George   Egart, 
William  Edgar, 
William  Edie, 
William  Godfrey, 
David  Hart, 
Joseph   Harrison, 
James  Harper, 
James  Hutchinson, 
John  Howel, 
Charles   Hay, 
F'rederick  Kross, 
William  Ligget, 
John   McCulough, 
Robert  McDonald, 
Robert  McCleland, 


Hugh  AlcCutchen, 
John  Miller, 
John   ^larshall, 
Joseph   Manifold, 
William   Morrord, 
John  McKitrick, 
Benjamin   Manifold, 
David  Manson, 
John  Montgomery, 
John   McKell, 
Alex.   Ramz}-, 
John  Ranizy, 
Thomas  Ray, 
John  Richey, 
Peter  Roberts, 
William  Ramsav, 
Daniel  Robb, 
Samuel  Roe, 
William  Spitler, 
.\braham   Cinord, 
John  Shinard. 
Andrew   Sloan, 
Alexander  Thompson, 
John   Willson, 
William  Willson, 
Samuel  Watson, 
James    Willson, 
Henrv  Wert, 
William  Willson, 
James  Willson. 


Captain, 

John  Reppey. 

First  Lieutenant, 

John  Colwell. 


Francis   Andrew, 
George  Aurson, 
John  Buchanan, 
John   Buck, 
William  Bohanan, 
John  Conor, 
John   Cummins, 
John   Curr_v, 
John  Dougherty, 
Hugh  Dougherty, 
Alexander   FuUerton, 
John  Fullerton, 
James  Greer, 
James  Hill, 
John  Houge, 
Thomas  Johnson, 
James  Lord, 
Samuel  Leeper, 
Patrick   Masewell, 
John    ]\IcHarsy. 
William  Morrison, 
John   Morrison, 


Privates, 


David   McCulough. 
.■\lex.    McCullough, 
Matthew   McCall, 
.\ntlrew  McClery, 
William  McCullough, 
Robert  McGill, 
William  McCleland, 
John  McClain, 
Moses  McWhorter, 
Samuel  Pollock, 
James    Parks, 
John  Ramsey. 
Walter  Robinson, 
Samuel  Ramsey, 
Patrick  Smith, 
Sanniel  Stewart, 
John   Stewart, 
Gavin   Scott, 
Robert  Stewart, 
Jacob  Visage, 
James   Woran. 
Robert  Zeliss. 


John  Andrew, 
Charles   Bradshaw, 
Robert   Blain, 
Abraham  Barber, 
George  Burkholder, 
Alex.  Cooper, 
Samuel  Caldwell, 
Alex.   Downing, 
John  Douglass, 
Thomas   Duncan, 
James   Downing, 
John  Elder, 
James  Elder, 
Robert   Forsythe, 
James  Forsythe, 
John   Gordon. 
Robert   Hill, 
William  Hill, 
James   Hill, 
John  Hill, 
James  Jolly, 
Joseph  Jackson, 
John   Kelly, 
Joseph  Kobb, 
William  Long, 
Robert    McGhee, 
John  McKinley, 
David   ;\rcKinley, 
William   McCalough, 
Samuel  McClurge, 


Privates, 


John  ilcCall, 
Michael   McAnulty, 
A.  McCulough, 
Thomas  Newton, 
James  Newton, 
James  Perron. 
William  Quigley, 
Joseph  Reed, 
John  Reed, 
John  Reed, 
Henry   Robinson, 
John   Robb, 
Alen   Seath, 
Hugh    Sprout, 
James  Stewart, 
James  Spear, 
James  Shaw, 
John  Stewart, 
Daniel  Shaw, 
Archibald   Shaw, 
William  Smiley, 
Samuel  Sprout, 
James  Sprout, 
William   Wedgeworth, 
Isaac  Williams, 
Cornelius   Ward, 
William   Willson, 
Thomas  Willson, 
Robert  Walker. 


Captain. 

Thomas  McXerry. 

First  Lieutenant, 

William  Adams. 


Privates, 


IMatthew  Adams, 
John  Arnold, 
William  Adams, 
William  Adams,  big, 
William  Adams,  old, 
Henry  .•\dams, 
John  Armstrong, 
Joseph  Allison, 
John  Buchanan, 
Jacob  Crowl, 
Henry  Crovvl, 
George  Cooster, 
John  Cooster, 
Philip  Elis, 
George  Elis, 
John    French, 
Henry  Fodd, 
Jacob  Gering, 
Thomas  Grove; 
j\Latthew  Hunter, 
Adam  Keener, 
David  Johnson, 
John   Koon, 
George  Keener, 
Ludwig  Keeth, 
Jacob  Koon, 


Michael  Koon, 
Andrew  Koon, 
George  List, 
James  ^IcLaughlin, 
Owin    McLaughlin, 
David   ;\IcXarv, 
William   McCforg, 
John    Murphy, 
John    Oolrigh, 
William  Ovvins, 
Richard  Pendry, 
Robert  Pendrj', 
James   Porter, 
Nicholas  Quigley, 
Adam  Quickel, 
William    Reed, 
Casper  Saylor, 
Nicholas  Strayer, 
Jacob   Spotts, 
Jacob  Sypher, 
Charles  Stewart, 
Ceter  Stoyler, 
Andrew  Stayley, 
John  Tinu}', 
Jacob  Weester, 
Philip  Winter. 


The  Seventh  Battalion  of  York  County 
Mih'tia,  organized  under  the  state  con.stitu- 
tion  of  1776,  was  commanded  by  David 
Ivennedy,  colonel,  with  James  Agnew.  lieu- 
tenant-colonel,   and    John    \\'eams.    major. 


THE   REVOLUTION 


271 


The  following  is  a  complete  muster  roll 
this  battalion  for  the  years  1777  and  177 

Captain. 

John   Myers. 

Second  Lieutenant. 

Abraham  Bollinger. 

Ensign, 

Daniel  Hamm. 


of     Christian   Pregiiier, 
Valentine   Runk, 
Peter  Ratt/, 
John  Rose. 
Christian  Road, 
John   Simmon, 
Philip   Senif, 
Frederick  Scptre, 
Andrew  Smith, 


Privates, 


Joseph  Allender. 
Jacob  Abley, 
William  Brenneman, 
Jacob  Bealor,   Jr., 
Henr\'  Baker, 
John  Beigher, 
Benjamin  Brenneman, 
Jacob  Bealor, 
Samuel   Brenneman, 
Joseph   Brillherd, 
Martin    Barkh\-mer, 
Helphrey  Cramer, 
Jacob  Colier. 
Nicholas   Dehoff, 
William   Frankelberger, 
Ulrich   Fulwider, 
George  Fenceler, 
Martin   Gistwhite, 
Ulrich   Hoover, 
John  Hoover, 
Michael   Hileman, 
Lawrence  Hileman, 
Jacob  Hofner, 
Henn.-  Kesler, 
Jacob  Keller.   Sr., 
George   Keller,   over  age. 
Andrew    Miller, 
John  Miller. 
George  Miller. 
Jacob  Miller. 


Peter  XoU, 
John  Ott. 
Stephen  Peter,  Jr., 
Stephen  Peter.  Sr., 
Michael  Peter. 
John  Rudisill. 
Christian  Ruble. 
John  Rever. 

Rohrbaugh, 

Jacob   Rodarmel. 
Jacob   Stambaugh, 
Peter  Stambaugh, 
John  Snell, 
Henry  Snyder. 
Harry  Strayer. 
Zachary  Shoe. 
Francis  Stritehoof. 
Philip    Stambaugh.    S 
Philip  Stambaugh. 
Christian   So.abaugh, 
Martin  Snyder, 
Henry  Shiles. 
George  Swartz. 
Daniel  Tones. 
John  Verner. 
Frederick  Waggmen, 
George   Warlev. 
Harry  Warley:  Jr.. 
Henry  Warley.  over 
Nicholas  Wvant. 


age. 


Captain. 

Thomas  White. 

First  Lieutenant. 

Robert  Jefferis. 

Second  Lieutenant. 

John  Jefferis. 

Ensign. 

Alexander  Lees. 


Privates, 


X'icholas   Bentz. 
Jacob  Byers. 
William  Bond. 
George   Conrad. 
William  Chapman, 
John  Dull. 
•-Hugh  Davis. 
George   Dashner. 
-Adam  Dentlinger, 
John   Dicke.   Sr., 
Thomas  Evans, 
John   Everson. 
Henry  Frankelberger, 
^Latthias  Firestone. 
Samuel   Freil. 
Henry  Fissel. 
Michael  Fissel, 
.-\dam  First, 
Francis  Huff, 
Philip  Fissel. 
Henry  Fissel,   sadler, 
Wendel  Fissel, 
Martin  First, 


Christian  Hershey, 
Joseph   Hershey 
Joseph  Hershey, 
John  Helzel, 
Tobias  Helzel, 
John  Hom, 
Henry  Horn. 
George  Hines. 
Andrew  Hershey, 
Peter  Hershey, 
Adam   Huff, 
.Abram   Koontz, 
Thomas  Hunt, 
Joseph   Keepers. 
John   Kinkennon, 
Peter  Koontz, 
Michael  Leckner, 
Jacob  Mooler, 
Solomon  Mooler, 
^^ichael  McCann, 
Philip  Miller. 
Daniel  Oaks. 
Thomas  Presel, 


Jr., 


^lichael  Strawsbaugh, 
Jacob  Wire, 
Daniel  Wertz, 
William  White, 
Jacob  Wertz, 
John   Wertz, 
Frank  Wrinkler, 
Christian  Young. 


William   .Anderson, 
Jacob  Alt, 
John  Beard, 
Jacob  Buzzard, 
Peter  Baker, 
Jacob  Brillhart, 
Edward  Barton, 
Jacob  Baker, 
Daniel  Bailey, 
Michael  Congle, 
John  Clink, 
John  Dicken, 
George  Dommine, 
-:rJohn  Davis, 
Henry  Downs, 
Amos  Dicken, 
Thomas  Dicken, 
George   Eisenhart, 
L'rias   Freeland, 
John  Freeland, 
Michael  Felter, 
Christian  Frey, 
Michael  Garveric, 
Adam  Hendricks, 
John  Hunt, 
Michael  Hubley, 
Wendel  Horst, 
Isaac   Hendricks, 
Godleib  Howman, 
Jacob  Headick, 
James   Hendrick, 
Philip  Herring. 


Captain, 

John   Miller. 

First  Lieutenant, 

Peter  Smith. 

Second  Lieutenant , 

John  McDonald. 

Ensign, 

Acquilla  Wyley. 

Privates, 

William  Hendricks, 
Michael   Howman, 
Nathan  Jones, 
David  Jones. 
John   Klinefelter, 
Daniel   Kurfman, 
John  Keller, 
Lawrence  Klinefelter, 
Andrew  Krist, 
Joseph  Lowbridge, 
Casper  Lutz, 
John  Low, 
Frederick  ^liller, 
James   Marshall, 
Solomon    Nonemaker, 
-^Alexander  Osburn, 
George   Peary, 
William   Patterson, 
Frederick  Rule, 
Sebastian   Shilling, 
James   Swinney, 
Ulrich  Sipe, 
John  Shyrer. 
Jacob  Seabaugh, 
John  Shelley. 
Henry  Shaffer. 
Joseph  Turner. 
George  Waltimyer, 
Ambrose  Wilcox, 
Edward  Wood. 
Christian  . 


Captain, 

Peter   Zollinger. 

First  Lieutenant, 

Daniel  Amer. 

Second  Lieutenant . 

Joseph  Baltzley. 

Ensign. 
Anthony  Snvd. 


Privates. 


Adam  Brener. 
Jacob  Bowser. 
Christian  Baker, 
Noah  Bowser, 
David  Baker, 
Valentine  Barkhymcr, 
Daniel  Bowser, 
Henry  Baltzley, 
Jacob   Bower. 
Abram  Bowser, 
Ulrich   Bernhard, 
John  Bower. 
John  Brener, 


Jacob  Baker. 
John  Brigner. 
Gotlieb  Brizner, 
Nicholas   Dillow, 
Conrad  Dull. 
Philip  Emeck, 
Peter  Gise. 
Nicholas  Goip. 
Wendel  Gyer. 
Henry  Heiney. 
Ludwig  Heiner, 
John  Hidler. 
Conrad  Haverstock, 


272 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY,   PEXXSYLVAXIA 


George  Jacobs, 
Henry  Jacobs, 
Philip  Jacobs, 
John  Kell, 
John  Lane, 
Jacob  Long, 
Henry  Long, 
Patrick    McHailey, 
Richard   Mumniett, 
William  Mummett,   Sr., 
John  Mummett, 
William   Mummett,  Jr., 
Daniel   Noel, 
Bloss  Noel, 
John  Naugle, 
William  Philebe, 
Adam  Player,  Sr., 


Adam  Pypher, 
Adam  Player,  Jr., 
Peter   Prigner, 
Lawrence   Rohrbaugh, 
Daniel  Reincll, 
Jacob    Stiflcr. 
Jacob  Snyder, 
Philip    Swisegood, 
Jolni  Titto, 
George   Tresler, 
John  Taylor, 
Christopher   Walter, 
Henry  Walter, 
Stophel   Weymiller, 
Frederick   Walter, 
Conrad  Walk. 


Captain, 

John   Erman. 

First  Lieutenant. 

Daniel  Peterman. 

Second  Lieutenant. 

Michael  Busli. 

Ensign. 
George  Erman. 


Privates, 


Conrad  Alt, 
Philip   Applenian, 
Matthew   Allison, 
Valentine  Armspoker, 
Earnest  Alp, 
Jacob   Bailey, 
John  Brillhart, 
Jacob   Brillhart, 
David  Byer, 
George  Bailey, 
Michael  Bush, 
Henry  Byers, 
Samuel  Brillhart, 
Bernard   Blymyer, 
Lawrence  Cramer, 
Baltzer   Colier, 
John  Colier, 
Charles   Deal, 
Adam  Deal, 
Gilian  Dippinger, 
Jacob  Earhart, 
Thomas  Earhart, 
Michael    Erman, 
Henry   Frey, 
John   Fry, 
Martin   Feigle, 
Francis  Grove. 
Casper   Glatfelter, 
John  Grimes, 
Henry  Hess, 
Jacob  Hildebrand, 
Nicholas  Hope, 
Feli.x   Hildebrand, 
Charles  Hvmes, 
Martin  Hart, 
Peter  Klinefelter, 


Jacob  Koffelt, 
John   Klinefelter, 
Henry  Keller, 
Christian  Keller, 
Andrew  Low, 
Tobias   Miller, 
Edward   Musgrove, 
Michael    Myer, 
Andrew   Myer, 
Christopher  Myers, 
John  Miller, 
Henry  Miller, 
Ulrich  Noyer, 
John  Olp, 
Frederick  Phenice, 
Andrew  Peary, 
Nicholas  Peary, 
Jacob  Peck, 
Christian   Rush, 
Abram  Rever, 
Lawrence  Rose, 
Adam  Rose, 
Conrad  Swartz, 
David  Shaffer, 
Michael  Shultz, 
John  Shyrer, 
Joseph   Sites, 
John  Stites, 
John    Stively, 
Christian  Stively, 
George  Seigh, 
Philip  Shaffer, 
Thomas  Tise. 
Philip  Taylor, 
Matthias  Trorbaugh. 


Captain. 
George  Geiselman. 
First  Lieutenant, 
Frederick  Heiner. 
Bnsign, 
Valentine  Alt. 
Privates, 
John  Byer,  John  Crowl, 

Christian   Brenneman,  John   Dicken, 

Joseph  Bigler,  George  Deal, 


George  Emick, 
Jacob  Fulwider, 
.'\ndrew   Frederick, 
Jacob   Funhuver, 
James  Flowers, 
John   Grow, 
Philip  Hileman, 
Jacob  Henry, 
Christian  Hosier, 
Joseph  Hosier, 
^lichael    Hofner, 
Casper    Hildebrand, 
Henry   Hildebrand, 
~^  Jacob   Henry, 
Jacob  Kurfman, 
Godfrey   Klintinch, 
Felix    Klatfelter, 
Michael   Klatfelter, 
Christian  Klintinch, 
Henry  Klatfelter, 
Valentine   Lore,     , 
Peter  Low, 
Anthony   Leaman, 
Henry  Lise, 
Peter  Lise, 
Jones  Lordon, 
George  Low, 
Michael   Mitchel, 


Christian  Michael, 
Emanuel   Niswonger, 
George   Nyman, 
George   Piper, 
John   Pope, 
-\dam  Pope, 
Melchor   Pypher, 
jNIichael  Peltz, 
John  Quarterman, 
Michael  Rose, 
George    Sliskman, 
Henry  Swartz, 
Bernard   Spangler 

(son  of  Jonas), 
Charles  Sliuman, 
Andrew  Shietler, 
Michael  Shenk, 
Jacob  Shaffer, 
Jacob   Shyrer, 
John  Smith, 
Abram  Swartz, 
Jacob  Welshans, 
Henry  Wideman, 
Jacob  Winter, 
George  Walter, 
Jacob  Ziegler, 
Bernard  Ziegler, 
Christopher  Zimmerman. 


Captain. 

Jacob  Anient. 

First  Lieutenant, 

Andrew   Parley. 

Second  Lieutenant, 

Nicholas  Andrews,, 

Ensign, 
Adam  Klinefelter. 


Philip  .-Vltland, 
Samuel   Arnold, 
John  Appleman, 
John  Byer, 
Casper  Bentzley, 
John  Baker, 
John  Buse, 
Warne  Craver, 
Matthias  Craff, 
John    Deardorf, 
Peter  Deardorf, 
John  Fissel, 
Adam  Fissel, 
Michael   Frederick, 
Peter  Flager, 
Jacob   Fulgemore, 
Adam  Fultz, 
Valentine  Grove, 
David  Griffith, 
David  Griffith, 
Jacob  Howry, 
Christopher   Hyme, 
John  John, 
Valentine  Kulp, 
Adam  Krist, 
Christopher  Kemp, 
Rudy  Klinpeter, 
John  Kaltrider, 
Philip   Krist. 
Christian  Linbaker, 
Matthias   Mummert, 
John  M.ver, 
Peter  Moore, 
John  Nelson, 
Amos  Powel, 
Peter  Puse, 


Priz'ates, 

Ludwig  Pope, 
Michael  Paulet, 
Martin   Rafflesperger, 
George  Rudy, 
Jacob  Road, 
Abram  Road, 
George  Road, 
Matthias   Stump, 
Ivlinman    Stoutsberger, 
Peter  Strine, 
John  Stopher, 
Philip   Stoofer, 
Henry  Spangler 

(Rudy's  son), 
Henry  Say, 
John   Sunday, 
John   Sharke, 
Michael    Sunday, 
Jacob  Stover, 
;  Henry    Spangler 

(Jonas'  son), 
Jacob  Swartz, 
Bernhard   Spangler 

(Rudy's  son), 
Philip   Shaffer, 
Peter  Torn, 
John   Tinkey, 
John  Trimmer, 
Andrew  Trimmer, 
Jacob   Tortoisenian, 
Adam  Walter, 
Philip  Wyland, 
George  Wallet, 
Christian  Wiest, 
John  Wiest, 
Henrv  Whaler. 


THE    REVOLUl'IUX 


273 


Captain, 

John  Shyrrer. 

First  Lieutenant, 

Jacob   Headrick. 

Second  Lieutenant, 

Frederick  Mvers. 


Ensign, 
Jacob  Bear. 

Privates, 

Henry  William  Keller, 
George  Krapr, 
John   Livingston, 
Henry   Mankey, 
Valentine    Mickle, 
James  Moore, 
James  Moore, 
Leonard   Myer, 
Henrv    Xycommer, 
Philip  Null, 
George   Portner, 
Adam  Rypold, 
Nicholas  Rypold, 
George  Rypold, 
Henry  Rohrbaugh, 
William  Rule, 
John  Rule, 
Ludvvick   Reighgle, 
Michael   Shearer, 
Martin  Shyrer, 
Philip  Snyder, 
Dewalt  Snyder, 
George  Smith, 
Matthias  Smith, 
Leonard  Sower, 
Jacob   Stake, 
Henry   WilUams, 
Jacob  Warier, 
Francis  Weymiller, 
Sebastian  Widman, 
Michael  Ziegler,  Sr., 
Michael  Ziegler. 


George  Amspoker, 
John   Brodbeck, 
Jacob  Bear,  Sr., 
Jacob  Bailey, 
George  Beck, 
Stophel  Brigner, 
George  Baker, 
William  Baker, 
Jacob  Dates, 
George  Dehoff, 
Philip  Emick, 
Wendel   Everhart, 
John  Everhart, 
Frederick    Fisher, 
John  Fulwider, 
Frederick  Frazier, 
Samuel  Glassick, 
John  Gauntz, 
Peter  Garveric, 
Frederick  Hovice, 
Michael   Hileman, 
George  Huver, 
Peter  Hiney, 
Jacob  Hess, 
John  Howser, 
Peter  Krapr, 
Jacob  Keller 

(son  of  George), 
Jacob  Kessler, 
Abram  Keller, 
Jacob  Keller,  , 
Andrew  Kersh, 
John  Kline, 

After  the  organization  of  the  mihtia,  in 
1777,  the  following  two  companies  belonged 
to  the  Second  Battalion,  which  included 
men  from  different  sections  of  York 
Cotint}' : 

Captain. 

Emanuel  Herman. 

First  Lieutenant, 

William  Mower. 

Second  Lieutenant, 

John  Brodrough. 

Ensign, 

Herman  Hoopes. 

Prizvtes, 

>Lartin  Ebert, 
Christian  Eblv, 
Ebly, 


Abraham  Greenawalt, 
John  Graff, 
Philip  Heiges, 
Jacob  Hoke, 
Jacob  Hcrritz, 
John   Hoke, 
Andrew  Hoke, 
John  Hagner, 
Lenhart   Holtzapple, 
John  Haler, 
Robert  Inners, 
John   Inners, 
Casper  Koren, 
Joseph   Kreibel, 
John   Kurtz, 
John  Kauffelt, 
Valentine   Krantz, 
Peter  Link, 
Lenhart  Lecrone, 
George  Lecrone, 
Michael  Lau, 
Jacob  Meisenkop, 
George  Menges, 
Peter  Menges, 
Andreas   !Meyer, 
John  ■\Iiller, 
Ludwig  Moll, 
Simon    Nirdnieyer, 
John  Oberdorf, 
John  Ottinger, 
Jacob  Odenwalt, 
Jacob  Ottinger,' 


Dietz  Amand, 
Jacob  Bauer, 
Robert  Bayley, 
Jonas  Bott, 
Jacob   Bushong, 
George  Bott, 
Jacob  Bott, 
Matthias  Detter, 
Gabriel   Derr, 
Michael  Emlet, 
George  Eyster, 
Elias  Eyster, 
George  Eyster,  Jr. 
Michael  Ebert, 
Philip  Ebert, 


Lenhart  Ebly, 
John   Emig, 
Conrad   Eisenhart, 
Christian   Eyster, 
Michael   Finfrock, 
Gottlieb   Fackler, 
John  Fry, 
George  Ferror, 
Stephen   Finfrock, 
John  Gratz, 
Isaac  Gartman, 
Isaac  Gartman,  Jr., 


1  Icnry  Ottinger, 
Peter  Ottinger, 
John  Oldham, 
Valentine   Obcrdorf, 
Dietrich  Ruppert, 
Gottlieb   Rigcr, 
Jacob   Roemer, 
Joseph  Rothrock, 
(jcorgc  Rothrock, 
Jacob  Rudy, 
Adam  Rolff, 
John  Romer, 
Philip   Stcll, 
Peter  Sprcnkel, 
George  Sprenkcl, 
Isaac  Sterner, 
Peter  Sprenkle, 
Jacob   Schmcisser, 
Henry  Shultz, 
Andreas  Schneider, 
Matthias   Schmeisser, 
Henry  Weltzhofifer, 

Weitzel, 

Peter  Wolff, 
Conrad   Weigel, 
Martin  Weigel, 
Sebastian  Weigel, 
Peter  Weigel, 
Philip  Ziegler, 
Killian  Ziegler, 
Jacob  Ziegler, 
Peter  Ziegler. 


Captain. 

Simon  Copenhafer. 

First  Lieutenant, 

Michael  Schreiber. 

Second  Lieutenant, 

Andrew  Smith. 

Ensi.iiu, 

Jacob  Gotwalt. 

Privates, 


.^fustered. 


Philip  Benedict, 
Peter  Bang, 
Peter   Bentz, 
Henry  Decker, 
Frederick   Ehresman, 
John  Frey, 
Jacob  Gotwalt, 
George   Henry   Houser, 
Frederick    Haeck, 
Andreas  Haeck, 
Jacob  Herman, 
John   Hearst, 
John    Humrichhouser, 
Nicholas    Hantz, 
Simon  Kopenhafer, 
Adam   Holtzapple, 
Nicholas   Krasz, 
Godfrey  King, 

Xot 
Jacob  Ernst, 
Andrew  Ginigam, 
Joshua   Horten, 
Jacob  Huff. 
Andrew  Hershey, 
John  Herman, 
John   Hoffman. 
Christian   Kneisley, 
John   Kanffman, 
John  Kreibel, 
Jacob  Kanffman, 
John  Nesbinger, 


Reinhart  Klein, 
John  Kroll, 
George   Miller, 
Conrad  E.  Alenges, 
Henry   Ness, 
Jacob  Ness, 
Henry  Ort. 
I  lenry  Rudisill, 
Jonas   Rudisill, 
George   Romi.g, 
Peter  Schultz. 
Ludwig  Shindle, 
John  Schran, 
Michael   Wcntz, 
George  Weitcrecht, 
Peter   Weitcrecht, 
Valentine  Wilt. 

Mustered. 

William  Rieth, 
Andreas  Rittcr, 
John  Schmidt, 
Yost  Stork, 
James  Schmidt, 
Philip  Wintermoyer, 
Conrad   Weikel, 
Nathan   Worlcy, 
Jacob  Worlev, 
John  Willis,' 
James  Worley, 
Frank  Worlev. 


18 


274 


HlS'lUkV    UF    YORK   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


Tlie  following  is  a  muster  roll  of  Captain 
Archibald  McAllister's  Company,  in  1776, 
then  serving  under  Colonel  Hartley.  In  the 
fall  of  that  year  Hartley's  Regiment  joined 
\\'ashington's  army  near  Trenton,  New 
Jersey.  This  company,  under  Captain  Mc- 
Allister, took  part  in  the  battles  of  Brandy- 
wine,  Paoli,  Germaritown  and  White  Marsh 
in  1777,  and  in  1778,  they  marched  with 
Hartley's  regiment  against  the  Indians  on 
the  northern  frontier: 

Caplaiii, 

Archibald  McVUister. 

First  Lieutenant, 

Isaac  Sweeney. 

Sergeant, 

John  Lesley. 

Drummers, 

Patrick  Conner, 

John  Elliot. 

Privates, 


Thomas   Bissel, 
Francis  Britt, 
George  Britt, 
James  Burke, 
James   Burns, 
John   Carduss, 
William  Chambers, 
John   Clark, 
Robert  Clark, 
Adam   Clendennen, 
James  Crangle, 
Charles  Cro.xel, 
George  Cusick, 
James  Dill, 
Lewis  Denisay, 
Robert  Ellison, 
John  Falls, 
Henry  Gardner, 
Richard  Karper, 
William  Hayes, 
John  Hendrick, 
Thomas  Herington, 
Thomas  Irwin, 
Thomas   Judge. 
Matthias  Kellar, 
Dennis  Leray, 

Muster  roll  of  the  Fifth  Company,  Third 
Battalion.  York  County  militia,  for  the 
years  1783-4: 

Captain, 

Peter  Trine. 

Lieutenant, 

John  Kneisen. 

Ensign, 
Peter  Messerly. 

Sergeant, 
Jacob  Stauch. 

Sergeants, 
.\dam  Iletzer, 
John  Wilth. 
Priz'ates, 
Jacob  Weigel,  Daniel   Rahauser, 

Charles   Alitman.  George  Romigh. 

Baltzer  Ham,  .Andrew'  Coder, 

Andrew  Gross,  Joseph   Sipe, 


John   McBride, 
John  McDonald, 
John  McGichen, 
William   McGinness, 
Henry   McGill, 
John    JMcLean, 
James   McManaray, 
Samuel  McAIanamy, 
John    Mahon, 
Benjamin  Missum, 
Thomas    Morrow, 
Cornelius   Murray, 
Thomas   Nicholas, 
John  Page, 
.Andrew   Patterson, 
Thomas   Parker,         » 
Patrick  Roch, 
Paul  Terry, 
Robert  Thompson, 
Christian  Timbrooke, 
Thomas  Timpler, 
.Andrew  Walker, 
.Andrew  Webb, 
Robert  White, 
Frederick  Wolf. 


Michael   Feyser, 
George   Croun, 
Thomas    Metzler, 
Jacob   Zimmerman, 
Casper  Bierbower, 
Jacob  Bowler, 
Peter   Stryn, 
Walter  Hughes, 
Peter  Thomas, 
William  Crage, 
Eliser  John, 
John  John, 
George  Geyer, 
Jacob   Hoifman, 
Wendel  Gross, 
Jacob   Ruthy, 
Michael  Gross, 
Ale.x,  Ramsey  Cober, 
Nicholas  Hoffman, 
George  Stauch, 
Michael   Bennedick, 
Philip   Hoffman, 
Frederick   Beck, 
Jacob   Huber, 
Alichael  Welty, 
Jacob  Welty, 
Abraham  Messerly, 
Philip  Bierbower, 
David  Ramsey, 
George  Ruthy, 
Jacob  Leydig. 
Sanniel  Perck, 
George  Reedman, 
Frederick   Heck, 
John  Bowerway, 
Jacob  Herman, 
George  Eichholtz. 
Folden   Erdel, 
Samuel  Clerk, 
Henry  Ruth}', 
George  Lcvnningcr, 
Christian  Heck, 

The  official  report  of  the  Third  Company, 
Fifth  Battalion,  York  County  militia,  1780: 

Captain. 

William  Heaffer. 

Lieutenant, 

Conrad  Haverstock. 

Ensign, 

Martin  Berghimer. 

Sergeants. 

John  Dressier, 

Michael   Dellow, 

Henry   Berghimer. 

Corporals, 

Philip  Hering, 

John  Brenner. 

Privates, 

Abraham  Jacobs, 
Ludwig   Heaffer. 
John    Mummert. 
Jacob   Becker, 
Nicholas  King, 
Christopher   Speess, 
Wendel  Henry,        N 
George  Keentzer, 
Henry  Jacobs. 
John   Hideler, 
Henry  Balsley, 
Daniel  Bowser. 
Jacob  Snider. 
Yost  Hiner, 


Frederick  Eichholtz, 
Adam  Guntel. 
Martin  Ilgenfritz, 
Frederick   Aliller, 
John  Rothrof, 
Jonas  Rothrof, 
Daniel   Lebach, 
John  Gross, 
Jacob  Smith, 
Emanuel  Sipe, 
Philip  Sipe, 
Jacob  Bender, 
George  Leyser, 
Tobias   Sipe, 
Philip  Quickcl, 
.Anthony   Bevenour, 
William  Reed. 
Philip  Rothrof, 
Jonathan  Rauhauser, 
George   Huber, 
Philip   Miller, 
Henry  Gertner, 
LUrich   Derr, 
Jonas  A'onner, 
Christian  Hamm, 
Matthias  Henry, Nt, 
Philip  Wilty, 
Jacob  Gross, 
Jacob  Gilbert, 
Jacob  Miller. 
George  Shettle, 
George  Shnellbecker, 
Matthias  Eichholtz, 
.Andrew  Sipe, 
Barnhart  Feyser. 
Edward  Brady, 
William   Ramsey, 
Casper  Cundel, 
John  Qnickel, 
Michael   William, 
Henrv  Bowncr. 


Andrew  Young, 
Philip  Jacobs. 
Henry    Stonesifer. 
Henry  Ottinger, 
Jacob  Fause, 
Peter  Gise, 
George  Fans, 
Samuel  .Arnold. 
Peter    Bricgner. 
William   Mummert, 
Daniel  .\mcrt, 
John  Dull. 
Peter  Heaffer. 
W'endel   Gvger, 


I'HE    REVOLL'TIOX 


-/  0 


Richard   Minnmcrt. 
John  Xaugle, 
Andrew   liaverstock, 
Henry  Walter. 
John  Bowser, 
Conrad   Dull. 
Patrick  Haley. 
Philip  Haverstock, 
Jacob  Dressier, 


Jacob  Steefler, 
Ludwig  Hiner, 
John  Lehn, 
Gotlecb  Breegner, 
Xicholas  Fickes.Nr 
Jacob  Brenner,     \ 
George  Ox, 
Abraham  Serflf. 
Robert   Doughertv. 


The  following  is  a  return  of  the  Sixth 
Company,  Fifth  Battalion,  York  County 
militia,  from  Paradise  Township,  Septem- 
ber I,  1781 : 

Cii/'fijiji. 

Andrew  Bolly. 

Lifutcnaiit, 

John  Stump. 

Ensign, 

Philip  Wyland. 

Privates, 

Peter  Dierdorf. 
henry    Sprengler, 
Michael  IJonser, 
Matthias  Mummert, 
John   Stoufer. 
Werner  Graver. 
Henry  Spengler. 
-"  Bernhard  Spengler. 
iBernhard  Spengler, 
Christian  Wiest, 


Jacob  Buss, 
Philip  Christ. 
Adam   Klinepeter, 
Jacob   Amon. 
Xicholas  Enders, 
Adam  Walter, 
John  Kell, 
George  WoUed, 
Peter  Moore, 
Peter   Dewald, 
Valentine  Grof, 
John  Pawl, 
George  Roth. 
David  Baker. 
Philip   Wolst. 
John   Raker. 
Jacob  Stover, 
Peter  Thorn. 
Philip  Shafcr. 
Rudolph  Klinepeter 
George  Bake. 
Christopher  Kamps, 
John  Buss. 
John  Dierdorf, 
John  Trimmer. 
Andrew  Trimmer, 
George  Rudy, 
John  Sherk. 
John  Wiest, 
Abraham  Roth. 
Casper  Goaks. 
Jacob  Stover. 
John  Fishel. 
Henrv  Fishel. 


Christian  Linebaugh, 
Jacob  Roth, 
Philip  Altland. 
Charles  Hyme, 
Henry  Klinepeter, 
Joseph   Sunday, 
John   Wide. 
Andrew    Sunday. 
Henry   Fishel. 
Adam   Stover, 
Michael  Howry. 
Henry  Wahler. 
Jacob    Rcnsell. 
David  Griffy. 
John  Myer. 
George  Wide. 
George  Krazingher. 
George  Smith. 
Martin   Rafflesbergcr. 
Christian  Rafflesbergcr. 
Peter  Trimmer. 
Thomas  Louder. 
William  Louder, 
Jacob  Loser. 


Official  report  of  Captain  Shearer's  Com- 
pany, Fifth  Battalion  of  York  County 
militia,  in  1780: 

Cal'lain. 

John  Shearer. 

Privates, 

Frederick  Fraser,  Sr., 
Samuel   Glasik. 
Deewald  Shnider. 
Xicholas  Ziegler. 
Adam   Ripold. 
George  Gross. 
George  .Amspoker. 
John    Brodbek. 
Jacob  Shearer, 


Jacob  Bear, 
Helfrey   Cramer, 
George  Krops. 
George  Koltriter, 
Michael  Shultz, 
^^ichaeI  Rose, 
Jacob  Ziegler. 
Michael  Ehrman. 
John  Sower. 


Henry  Kuhn. 
John  Keller. 
Benjamin  Lawson. 
George  Bortner,  Sr., 
Jacob  Keller  Smith, 
Daniel  Bear, 
Xicholas  Dahoff, 
h'rederick  William, 
Ludwig   Bortner, 
ALartin  Shyrer. 
Xicholas   Ripold, 
-Abraham  Keller, 
John   Werner. 
Henry  Wilhelm, 
George  Smith. 
George  Dahoff, 
Zachariah  Shoe, 
(leorge  Ripold, 
John  Rohrbaugh, 
George  Bortner, 
Peter   Henig, 
John  Gerberick, 
Jacob  Xoll, 


George   Huber, 
Matthias  Ripold, 
Daniel  Stouffer, 
Frederick  Fraser, 
Philip  Dahoff, 
Henry  Albrecht, 
Peter  Ollinger, 
Lugwig  Rigel, 
Jacob  Kants, 
William  Ruhl, 
Daniel  Cramer, 
Jacob  Haderik, 
Frederick  Wilhelm, 
Jacob  Keller. 
Jacob  Ziegler. 
John  Eberhard, 
John  Gantz, 
Benjamin  Walker, 
William  Baker, 
David  Xeal, 
Jacob  Kerker, 
-Adam  Foltz, 
Peter  Hah. 


Return  of  Captain  Thomas  White's  Com- 
pany of  the  Fifth  Battalion,  York  County 
militia,  for  the  year  1780: 

Captain, 
Thomas  White. 

Lieutenant, 
Lawrence  Helman. 

Ensign, 
Francis  Winkler. 

Sergeants, 
Edward   Woods. 
Christopher  Weyncniiller. 
Ulrich   Barnhard. 


Christian   Hershey, 
Joseph  Hershey,  Jr., 
Peter  Hershey, 
Joseph   Hershey,   Sr., 
Xicholas   Pence. 
Andrew  Pence. 
Michael  Fissel, 
Henry   Fissel, 
Henry  Fissel,  Jr., 
George  Conrad, 
Jacob  Conrad, 
George   Gentzler, 
:\IichaeI  Miller, 
Philip  Stover, 
Peter   Marc.x, 
Peter  Ratts, 
Martin   Plank, 
^'ost  Waggoner, 
John  Joseph, 
Michael  Strawsbach, 
David  Griffith, 
Philip   Meyers, 
Daniel  Shynaman, 
Peter  Sander. 
Jacob  Wantz.  " 

John  Dicks,  Sr., 
John  L')icks,  Jr., 
Martin   Focrst, 
Peter  Meinhart, 


Privates, 


Jacob  Marcx. 
James  Porter, 
Hugh  Fulton. 
James  Cre,gor\-. 
William  Blackburn. 
-Andrew   Hoff, 
.Adam  Hoff, 
John   Kilkanon, 
John  Wertz. 
X'^alentinc  Runk. 
Joseph  Runk. 
Adam  Dentlinger, 
John  Simmons, 
Leonard  Getz, 
Phillip  Hoff, 
Peter  Wertz. 
Henry  Heltzel. 
John   Rose. 
.■\braham   Horn, 
Joseph  Wilson, 
John   Fricky, 
Elias  Wood. 
John  Ortman. 
Jacob   Lischy, 
Geor,ge   Krone. 
John    Hershey, 
.Abraham  Bollinger, 
Francis   Reamer, 
Conrad  Mole. 


Return  of  Captain  Leclmer's  Company  of 
York  County  militia,  for  the  3'ear  1780: 


276 


HISTORY   OF   YORK 


C  (J />/((/", 

Jlichaei  Lechncr. 

Lieutenant, 

Henry  Kesler. 

Bnsign, 

Henry  Karwcr. 

Clerk, 

Christian  Roarbach, 

Sergeants, 

Lorenz  Roarbach, 

Jacob   Eppley, 

Jacob   Stambach. 

Corporals, 
Daniel  Jones, 
Jacob  Hefner, 
John  Boelor. 

Fifer, 

Franz  Straithof. 

Drummer, 

Frend,  Fenes. 


Jacob  Boeler, 
Henry  Skiles, 
Jacob  ^Miller, 
Samuel   Brenneman, 
Martin   Sneider, 
Henry  Stambach, 
-Peter  Kreps, 
George  Werly, 
Stephen  Peter, 
John   Rever, 
-Michael    Miller, 
Alexander  Lees, 
Adani  Miller, 
Abraham  Bollinger, 
John  Ham, 
Christian  Noll, 
Jacob  Straithoff, 
John  Myer, 
Ben   Brenneman, 
George   Fransler, 
Philip  Stambach, 
Jacob  Wearly, 
Adam  Hoffman, 
Daniel  Wertz, 


Privates, 

Andrew   IMiller, 
Daniel  Ham, 
Christian  Huble, 
William  Becker, 
Christian  Brillhard, 
George   jMiller, 
Ullrich   Huber, 
John  Snell, 
Henry  Werh', 
Jacob  Noll, 
Thomas  Harreys, 
John  Weaver, 
Jacob  Boeler,  Jr., 
,  Peter   Stombach, 
John  Kline, 
Lorenz   Shultz, 
Thonias  King, 
Jacob   Kesler, 
John  Rudisill. 
William  Brenneman, 
John  Huber, 
John  Miller, 
Christian  Hefner, 
Michael  Peter. 


The  following  is  a  muster  roll  of  Captain 
Reinhart  Bott's  Company  of  York  County 
militia,  from  Manchester  Township,  1780: 

Captain, 

Reinhart  Bott. 

Lientenant, 

Philip  Ziegler,  Jr. 

Ensign, 

Philip  Ebert. 

Clerk, 

Killian  Ziegler. 

Sergeants, 
John  Dettemar, 
Jacob  Rudy, 
Peter  Hoke. 
Corporals, 
Andrew  Zieglor, 
.  John  Ernst, 
Henry  Dettemar. 
Priiates. 
John  Haller,  Michael  Bentz. 

John  Emig,  Philip  Wintermeyer, 

Adam  Wolf,  Leonhart  Wizel, 

Frederick  Horn,  Frederick   Leonhart, 


COUNTY.   PEXXSYLV.VXIA 

Peter  Weyand, 

Jacob  Worley, 

Xicholas  "Weyand, 

John  Willis, 

Philip  Reitz. 

Philip   Hehzel, 

Bern  lard  Holtzappl 

c. 

Solomon   Brown, 

Thomas  Oldham, 

Michael  Ebert,  Jr., 

Andrew   Hoke, 

Gotlieb  Rieker, 

Robert  Lewis, 

Peter  Lind, 

Matthias  Amend, 

George  Sprenkle, 

Simon   W'idmeyer, 

Joseph  Graybill. 

Yost   Strack, 

George  Eyster, 

Jacob  Grofe, 

^lichael  Lau. 

JMichael  Crouss, 

George  Eisenhart, 

Edward  Skemp, 

Martin  Wizel, 

Emanuel  Herman, 

John   Hoke, 

Gabriel   Derr, 

Stephen   Finfrock, 

ilattliias  Smyser, 

John  Herman, 

Peter  Ottinger, 

Joshua  Huddon, 

Casper  Carver, 

^Michael   Sprenkle, 

Jacob  Ziegler, 

Bernhard  Rudy, 

Peter  Widerecht, 

Peter  Wolf, 

Henry  Cunningham, 

Elias  Eyster. 

Francis  Jones, 

Matthias  Detter, 

James   Dobbins, 

Diter  Rupert, 

Martin  Life, 

James  Worley, 

Sebastian   Weigle, 

Andrew  Hershey, 

Henry  Shultz, 

Frederick  Eichelberger, 

Henry  Keifer, 

Peter  Brenneman, 

Andrew  Snyder, 

Herman   Guckes, 

Andrew  Weier, 

Jacob  Franekaberger, 

Philip  Hoffman, 

George  Feeman, 

Peter  Bentz, 

^Matthias  Keller. 

Jacob  Neass, 

Matthias  Klein. 

George  Crantz, 

Christian   Landes, 

Adam  Hoke, 

Casper  Hammer, 

Jacob  Smyser, 

John  Jones, 

George  Lecrone. 

Daniel  Dippel, 

Henry  Weltzhoffer, 

George   Meisenkoop, 

Matthias  Miller, 

George  Finck, 

John   Schram, 

Abraham  Borger, 

Francis  Worley, 

George  JNIiles, 

John  Reisinger, 

John  Ebert, 

Philip  Christ, 

Nicholas  Hentz, 

Samuel  Redinger, 

Everet  Herr, 

Elisha  Kirk, 

Anton  Weier, 

Peter  Lau, 

Philip   Wolf. 

Gotlieb  Fackler, 

Anton  Raush, 

Martin  Ebert, 

Michael  Speck, 

Peter   Alenges, 

Valentine  Emig, 

lin     Jacob  Bott, 

Frederick  Huber, 

j-        Peter  Sprenkle, 
"•.y     George   Bott, 

Jacob  Hentz, 

Michael  Finfrock, 

):        David  Shad, 

Jacob  Ottinger. 

Jacob  Kauffman, 

Return    of    Captain    Matthias'  Company, 

from    Newberry    Township,    July    i,    1780. 

This  company 

servei 

d  m  Michael  Smyser  s 

Battalion  of  York  County  militia: 

Captain, 

Henry 

Matthias. 

Lieu 

tenant. 

George  Myers. 

Lnsign, 

Charles  Heyer. 

Pri 

vates. 

William   Mackneley 

Thomas  Eyeronss, 

John   Stone, 

Joseph  Ruppert, 

John  Erss, 

George  Syds, 

Stofel  Bower, 

George  Bruaw, 

Thomas  Wincrey, 

George  Miller, 

John  Whyer, 

Conrad  Sheffer. 

John   Upd'egraff, 

JNfartin   Shutter, 

James  Adams, 

Jacob  Barr, 

THE    REVOLUTIOX 


277 


Jacob  Gotwald,  Jr., 
Henry  John, 
Samuel  Herd, 
Matthias   Sorker, 
Ludwick   Wliyer, 
Ijetter   -Meyer, 
John  Hunder, 
William   Xicliolas, 
Andrew  Miller, 
Abraham   Shelley, 
Valentine  Shultz, 
George  Strine, 
Jacob  Heitelbaugh, 
George  Snyder, 
Frederick   Sorker, 
Philip  Fettrow, 
Amos  Lewis, 
James  Hengoge, 
Andrew  Baitmen, 
Jacob  Norberger, 
John  Hofmen, 
George  Bower. 
Bastian  Whyel. 
Frederick  Heyer, 
William  Updegraff, 
William  Bratain, 
Michael   Ressler, 
Guy   Cancley. 
Jacob  Ruppert, 
John   Nicholas, 
Philip   Bence, 
Michael  Fettrow, 

The  following  is  a  return  of  Captain 
^^'iley's  Company,  York  County  militia,  for 
the  year  1780: 

Cal^tiiiii. 

Aquila  Wiley. 

Lieutenant, 

Adam  Hendri.x. 

Ensign, 

Andrew   Smith. 

Privates, 

Boston    Shilling. 


I'Vederick   Humel, 
Battereck   McMuUen, 
John   Forey, 
Casper  Shctrone, 
Jacob   Forey, 
i'liomas   Miller, 
Andrew  Clyne, 
James  Karmen, 
Elven  John, 
John  Mcnspoker, 
Joseph  Careson, 
Cornelius   Careson, 
Daniel  Densol, 
Uavid  Ensmenger, 
Christian  Bomgerdner, 
Hcnrj"   Bower, 
Samuel   Miller, 
Jacob  Stattessman, 
George   .\Ienspokcr, 
Michael  Bollinger, 
Jacob  ileyer, 
George  Meyer, 
John   Bower, 
William   Remel, 
Jacob  Copier, 
Robert  Miller, 
William   Winery, 
Frederick  Stone, 
Thomas  Bonine, 
Jonathan    McTarey, 
Samuel  Whev. 


James   Wilgns, 
John  Millar. 
Peter  Smith, 
John  McDonald, 
Peter  Baker, 
Daniel  Curfman, 
Christian  Keisey, 
James  Moor., 
\Villiam  Wile. 
Michael  Clifclter, 
Windel  Hisa. 
James   Marshal, 
John  Keller. 
Jacob  Ott. 
George    Waltimire, 
Hennary  Waggoner, 
George  Isahart, 
Thomas   Simyard, 
James  McTwina, 
John    Freeland, 
Jacob  Hederick, 
Daniel   Bailey. 
John   McMahon, 
William  Patterson, 
Conrod   Free. 
Christian  Crouse, 
Frederic  Millar, 
Laurane  Clifelter, 
Jacob  Coler. 
Xehemiah   L'nderwood. 
William   .Anderson. 


Michael  Heman, 
Henry  Shaver, 
Henry   Downs, 
John  Clifelter, 
Jacob  Bosard, 
Adam  Deal. 
Isaac  Hendrix, 
Thomas  Arms. 
Solomon  Xunemaker, 
Jacob  Mire, 
Nicholas  Rogers. 
Michael  Kensler. 
Jolm  Beard, 
Adam  Lukus. 
Thomas  Sparks. 
Chrisley  Lipc. 
George   Didenhaver, 
Frederick  Rule. 
Francis   Keilev, 
John  ^rillar. 
Nicholas  .Millar, 
Charles  Waltimire, 
David   Waltimire, 
.'\dam   Snn'th. 
Isaac  Low. 
Paul   Hivly. 
Gasper  Prcathaver, 
James  F'reeland. 
Tlu-imas  Hendrix. 


A  part  of  the  count}-  militia  were  called 
out  to  ser\e  for  three  months  or  more  at  a 
time  to  guard  British  prisoners  at  York, 
during  the  years  1777-78-79,  and  at  Camp 
Security,  the  British  prison  four  miles 
southeast  of  York,  in  1781-82.  The  follow- 
ing companies  served  in  tliis  capacity: 

Capliiin, 
George  Long. 

Licntenants, 
Christopher  Elefritz, 
John  Fischel. 

Sergeants, 
George  Moore, 
Jacob  Sprenkle, 
John  Willard. 

Corporals, 
^Lartin  Kerman, 
Seth  Goodwin, 
Philip  Wagner. 

Privates, 

Forrest  McKutchin, 
Luke  McLeese, 
Peter  W.  Naught 

(or    McDonough), 
Felix    ililler, 
Patrick  Oloan, 
David  Patker, 
Thomas  Ryan, 
Henry  Ryschell, 
Jacob  Speck, 
Peter  Shoemaker, 
John  Wilhelm, 
George  Wilhelm, 
Philip  Wagoner, 
Casper  Williard, 
George  Zech. 

Ciiptains. 
Christopher   Lauman. 
Daniel  i:)oll. 


Jacob  Doederly, 
John   Dalsman, 
George  Fleager, 
Philip   Grim, 
Peter  Grim, 
John  Graham, 
Michael  Grim, 
Jacob  Houx, 
Michael  Kurtz, 
Jacob   Kook, 
Edward    Lostikcl, 
John  Long, 
Jacob  Layman, 
Edward  Alusgrove, 
Henry   Miller, 
iLirtin  Maver, 


Privates, 


John  Agnew, 
Jacob  Bitner 
Andrew   Colhoon 
Martin   Fry 
Jacob   Graybill 
Peter  Glossbrenner 
George  Giess 
Peter  Hess 

Christian   Heckendorn 
John   Hubley 
John  Kock,  Jr. 
George   Lutman 
Henry  Lanius 
Charles    Lauman 
Lgnatius   Li.ghtner 
William   Mini 
John  Ptligcr 
John    Philby 
Barny  Smith 
Henry  Small 
Laurence  Shultz 
Clement   Slillinger 
Jacob    Waltimire 
John   Williams 
Jacob  Welsh 
John  Yous 


Hamilton  Bagley 
John  Eichelberger 
Henry  Erwin 
Jacob  Korr>" 
Joel  Gray 
John  Hively 
Stephen  Harry 
Jacob  Heckert 
Richard  Hickson 
Thomas  Koontz 
Peter   Kurtz 
Abraham    Lighlner 
Peter  Lightner 
John   Laffertv 
Philip  Miller 
William  ^Layson 
Dr.  Emanuel  McDowell 
Thomas   McKinsey 
William  Norris 
John   Strebich 
Dr.  Daniel  Shefer 
George  Stall 
Michael   Schreiber 
John  Shetly 
Joseph  Uodegraff 
Jacob  Wclshans. 


78 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY,    PEXXSYIA'AXIA 


The  following  is  a  muster  roll  of  Captain 
Samuel  Fulton's  Company  of  Y'ork  County 
militia,  guarding"  the  prisoners  at  Camp  Se- 
curity, in  September,  1781 : 

Captain. 
Samiie!  Fulton. 

Lieutenant, 
Joseph  Dodds. 

Sergeants, 
Alexander  Thompson, 
Alexander  Smith, 
Ezekiel  Sinkey. 

Corporals, 
James  Cowhick, 
John  Patton, 
James  Hawkins. 

Fifer. 
Godfry  Sidle. 

Privates, 


John  Miirfe\', 
William    McClellan, 
Jacob   McCouUah, 
Andrew.  Miller, 
Michael  Miller, 
John   Moser, 
Henry  Miller, 
John  Owens, 
John  Oble, 
Ludwick  Ortt, 
Robert  Penrey, 
James  Pollock, 
Peter   Pence, 
Elisha  Pew. 
Thomas  Robison, 
Mandevill  Reed, 
John   Rodrof, 
John  Sineard, 
Michael  Simerman, 
William  Scarlet, 
Joseph   Stroup, 
Peter   Strayer, 
Adam   Swope, 
Jacob   Stigner, 
Adam   Shinbarger, 
Jacob  Taylor, 
Eldrie  Terr, 
Joseph  Thompson, 
Stophel  Writer, 
Moses  Wallace, 
Charles   Waltimier, 
John   Waggoner. 


William  Cooper, 
John  Cooper, 
Brainerd   Stroyner, 
Thomas  Ramage, 
Alexander   White, 
William   Sullivan, 
Allen  Torbctt, 
Thomas  White, 
John  Hall, 


Samuel  Adams, 
Joseph  Alison, 
William  Adams, 
Thomas  Robison, 
Samuel  Barber, 
John  Beveard, 
Jacob   Balsley, 
Christian  Branaman, 
.\ndrew  Brown, 
Michael   Caricker. 
Valentine  Colman, 
William   Donaldson, 
Joseph   Delinger, 
John  Delinger, 
Adam   Darron, 
Michael   Edwards, 
Frederick  Eholes, 
John  Freland, 
Michael  Flint, 
■Michael  Fedrow, 
Jacob   Freeze, 
John  Good. 
David  Griffith, 
Tohn  Gross, 
Robert  Hill, 
Isaac  Hendrick, 
Daniel  Hair, 
Michael   Henry, 
Frederick  Humble, 
^lathias   Kernes, 
Philip  Knop. 
George  Lecronc, 
Cieorge  Lininger. 

William  ^litchell's  Company.  December 
20,  1776,  Fifth  Battalion,  Colonel  Matthew 
Dill : 

Captain. 

William  Mitchell. 

First  Lieutenant, 

Joseph  Eliott. 

.Second  Lieutenant, 

Henry  Shaeffer. 

Ensign. 

Laurence  Oats. 

Sergeant, 

John  Lewis. 

Privates. 

Robert  Torbett.  William   McLaughlin, 

Xicholas  Shotto,  Daniel   Williams, 


Francis  Boggs, 
Patrick  Shannon, 
Peter  Reeser, 
John  Sullivan, 
John   Bowie, 
John  Williams, 
Benjamin  Coble, 
John  Sickleman, 
James  White. 


Joseph  McClellan's  Company,  September 
10,  1778,  Xinth  Pennsylvania  Line: 


Captain, 

Joseph  McClellan. 

Sergeants, 

Daniel  Vanderslice, 

Hugh  Flearren, 

Samson  Dempsej'. 

Corporals, 
Samuel  Woods, 
Christian  Young. 

Drummer, 
George  Stewart. 

Privates, 

James  Callahan, 
George  Shaffer, 
John  Connely, 
Peter  ilager, 
John  Allison, 
Robert  Armstrong, 
_;^John  Davis, 
:,  ;\Iichael  Henderliter, 

George  Hister, 
Simon  Lauk, 
Samuel  Lewis, 
Joseph   Parker, 
Thomas  Rendals, 
Xathan   Roberts, 
Charles  Stewart, 
John  Stewart, 
Jonathan  Thomas. 


George  Alfred, 
Henry  Harper, 
George  Pention, 
Thomas   Sumner, 
Adam  Coch. 
Daniel    Saliday, 
Daniel   Benhart, 
Frederick  Raimeck 
Jacob  Powles, 
Laughlin  Morrison 
Thomas  Powell, 
Francis  Matthews, 
Patrick  Rock, 
Andrew  Shaffer, 
Robert  Eagen, 
James  Haines, 
James  Young, 


Isaac    Sweeney's    Company   of   the    Xew 
Eleventh,  1781 : 

Captain, 
Isaac  Sweeney. 

Lieutctiant, 

Septimus  Davis. 

Ensig}!, 

William  Houston. 

Sergeants, 
Thomas  Wilson, 
John  Gray, 
Patrick  Clemens. 

Corporals. 
Andrew  Miller, 
Edward  Blake, 
John  Smith. 

Drummer, 
Robert  Hunter. 

Fifer. 
John  McElroy. 


George  Carman, 
John    Edgar. 
William  Fields. 
Hu.gh   Forsythe, 
James   Hines, 


votes, 
.\ndrew  Kelly, 
Roger  O'Brien, 
Valentine  Stickle, 
Hugh  Swords, 
William  Wilson.  ' 


THE    REVOI.UTIOX 


279 


John  Andrew's  Company,  April  30,  1779, 
'J'enth  Battalion: 

Colonel, 
John  Andrews. 

Adjiilaiil, 
William  Bailey. 

Quartermaster, 
Robert  Chambers. 

Sergeant. 
M.  David  Beaty. 


Privates, 

Joseph  Bogle, 

Benjamin   Whitely, 
William   Stragin, 
William  Reed, 
John   Sarsley, 
John  Slammers, 
John  Hoover, 
Robert  Wilson, 
Alexander  Bogle, 
David  Cassat, 
William  McGrer, 
Robert  Campbell,^ 
John  McCreesy. 


Robert  Galbreath, 
John   Hoult, 
Christian  Freet, 
George  Stope. 
Philip  Hounsley, 
Nathan   Grimes, 
Abraham  Iloughtailcn, 
David   Demorest, 
Henry  Buchanan, 
\\'illiam  Coule, 
Samuel   McCush, 
George   McCans, 
James   Wier, 

The  following  is  a  list  of  York  County 
soldiers  w-ho  served  in  the  First  Pennsyl- 
vania Regiment  of  Foot : 


Michael   Long, 
Samuel  Crawford, 

Robert    Campbell, 

James  Brown, 
John    Mollin, 
Robert  Garret, 
Ulrich   Faulkner, 
William  Kerr, 
Charles  Boyles, 
Robert  Magee, 
Thomas  Collins, 
James   Berry, 
Jesse  Lester, 
George  Sinn, 
Mathias  Crout, 
James   Robertson, 
John   Kimmins, 
Jacob  Harrington, 
William  Williams, 
James  McDonough, 
James  Mclntyre, 
Thomas  ^IcGee, 
Jolm   ^L'llone, 
John  McKinney, 
Peter  Geehan, 
Samuel  Woods, 
Martin  Hart, 
George  Corkingdate, 
John  Allen, 
John    Summerville, 
Edward  Butler, 
P.-itrick    Preston, 
Timothy   Winters, 
Baltzer   Barge, 

John  Campbell, 

Edward   Fielding, 
Evan  Holt, 
James   Dougherty, 
John  Vandereramel, 
George   Young, 
John   Whitemari, 
John  Unkey, 


Daniel  Johnston, 
Michael  Jones, 
Patrick  Kelly, 
Robert  Keenan, 
John  Leonard, 
Thomas   Maltzer, 
James   Morrison, 
James  McLean, 
William   Welschance, 
Peter   Eversole, 
William  Klorris, 
Thomas  Stewart, 
Felix    McLaughlin, 
Edward  Larder, 
John   McXair, 
William  Pilmore, 
Thomas  Winters, 
John   Gower, 
John  Callahan, 
James  Bradley, 
Edward  Blake, 
Daniel  Campbell,   — 
Henry  Crone, 
Hugh  Henley. 
Thomas  Hamilton, 
Frederick   Snyder, 
Michael  Wann, 
Peter  Myers, 
Michael  Kurtz, 
Samuel  Allen, 
George  Albertson, 
James  Allison, 
Hugh  Henderson, 
Patrick  Ryan, 
Peter  McBride, 
Thomas   Moore, 
Thomas  Katen, 
William  Bradshaw, 
James  Welsh, 
Marty  Sullivan, 
.•\ndrew  Crothy, 
John  Fouder. 


The  following  soldiers  from  York  County 
served  in  different  commands  during  the 
Revolution  : 

PennsyKania  Artillery — John  Benning- 
ton, Miciiael  Kyall,  John  Kelley,  James 
Ryburn,  Frederick  Leader,  John  Johnson, 
Samuel  Laughlin,  Alexander  Martin, 
George  Stewart,  William  ^Bergenhoff, 
Robert  Ditcher,  Patrick  Dixon,  James 
Baker,  John  Lochert. 

German  Regiment — Jacob  Krcmer,  Jacob 
McLean,  John  Richcreek. 

Fourth  Pennsylvania  Line — Andrew 
Crotty,  George  Seittel,  John  McMeehan, 
Christian  Pepret,  Andrew  Shoeman,  John 
Cavanaugh, William  Smith,  John  Anderson. 

Fifth  Pennsylvania  Line — John  Deveney, 
Anthon)-  Leaman,  .\dam  Shuman. 

Sixth  Pennsylvania  Line  —  William 
Brown,  Michael  Weirich,  Joel  Gray, 
Matthias  Young,  Ludwig  Waltman. 

Seventh  Pennsylvania  Line  —  John 
Brown. 

Ninth  Pennsylvania  Line — John  Tate, 
ensign;  Stephen  Stephenson,  Adam  David- 
son, captain;  Samuel  Jamieson.  George 
Heffelfinger,  Samuel  Spicer,  Leonard 
Weyer. 

Eleventh  Pennsylvania  Line — Robert 
McMurdie,  brigade  chaplain. 

New  Eleventh  Pennsylvania — Martin 
Bloomenstine,  Godlove  Shaddow,  John 
Richcreek,  Joel  Gray,  John  Snyder,  Robert 
Casebolt.  William  Brown. 

Thirteenth  Pennsylvania — Matthew  Far- 
ney. 

State  Regiment  of  Foot — Captain  John 
Marshall,  successor  to  Captain  Philip  .Al- 
bright; Robert  Sturgeon,  Patrick  McGin- 
nes,  ^^'ilIiam  Welshance,  John  Awl,  Joseph 
Mj'ers,  Samuel  Woods,  Edward  Carlton, 
Terrence  Stockdale. 

At  the  Flying  Camp,  1776 — Captain 
Peter  Ickes.  Second-Lieutenant  William 
Young.  Ensign  Elisha  Grady,  Christian 
Ouiggle.  Jacob  Klingman,  Patrick  Gibson, 
Henrjr  Beard,  Alexander  Frew,  George 
Gelwicks,  Charles  Wilson. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  commissioned 
officers  of  the  York  County  militia  for  the 
years  1777-8-9: 

Colonel    James    Thompson's    Battalion    at 
Wilmington,  Delaware,  Sept.  3,  1777. 

1st  Co..  Captains  William  Dodds,  38  men; 


28o 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


_'d  Co..  Samuel  Ferguson,  41  men;  3d  Co., 
illegible;  4th  Co.,  Thomas  Latta,  31  men; 
3th  Co..  John  Laird,  32  men;  6th  Co.,  Peter 


Ford. 


len;  7th  Co.,  John  Myers,  18  men. 


First  Battalion,  October  i,  1777. 

3d  Co.,  Capt.  Christian  Kauffman,  ist  Lt. 
John  Shaffer,  2d  Lt.  Henry  Smith,  Ensign 
Jacob  Strehr;  4th  Co.,  Capt.  Daniel  May, 
1st  Lt.  Andrew  Milhorn,  2d  Lt.  Henry 
Yessler,  Ensign  Frederick  Spahr. 

First  Battalion. 

Col.  James  Thompson,  1778;  Lt.  Col. 
Samuel  Neilson,  1778;  Henry  Miller,  1779; 
Major  James  Chamberlain,  1778;  William 
Bailey,  1779. 

1st  Co.,  Capt.  William  Dodds,  1778,  John 
Ehrman,  '79;  ist  Lt.  Nealy,  '78,  Fred. 
^^'eare,  '79;  2d  Lt.  Nealy,  '78;  Ensign  Jos. 
Dodds,  '78,  Peter  Swartz,  '79.  Rank  and 
file,  104  men. 

2d  Co.,  Capt.  David  Williams,  '78,  George 
Long,  '79;  1st  Lt.  James  McNickle,  '78, 
John  Korehart,  '79;  Ensign  James  Reed, 
'/8,  John  Smith,  '79.    Rank  and  file,  78  men. 

3d  Co.,  Capt.  John  Shaver,  '78,  Michael 
Hahn,  '79;  ist  Lt.  Henry  Smith,  '78, 
Christian  Zinn,  '79;  Ensign  Jacob  Miller, 
"78,  Peter  Hank,  '79.    Rank  and  file,  95  men. 

4th  Co..  Capt.  Daniel  May,  '78,  Peter 
Ford,  '79;  1st  Lt.  Andrew  Melhorn,  '78, 
John  Jeffries,  '79;  2d  Lt.  Henry  Y''essler, 
'78;  Ensign  Frederick  Spaar,  '78,  Charles 
Spangler,  '79.     Rank  and  file,  89  men. 

5th  Co.,  Capt.  James  Parkinson,  '78,  Peter 
Imswiller,  '79;  ist  Lt.  James  Fagen,  '78, 
James  Cross,  '79;  2d  Lt.  Alexander  Nesbitt, 
'78;  Ensign  John  May,  '78,  Ulrich  Sellor, 
'79.     Rank  and  file,  206  men. 

6th  Co.,  Capt.  Benjamin  Keable,  '78, 
Michael  Kaufelt,  '79;  ist  Lt.  Henry  Shaver, 
'78,  Philip  Boyre,  '79;  2d  Lt.  Lawrence 
Oats,  '78;  Ensign  Michael  Dush,  "79. 
Rank  and  file,  75  men. 

7th  Co.,  Capt.  Francis  Boner,  '78,  Ephraim 
Penington,  '79;  ist  Lt.  George  Robenet, 
■78,  Charles  Barnet,  '79;  2d  Lt.  John 
Schrote.  '78;  Ensign  William  Brandon,  '78. 
Gotfry  Lenhart,  '79.  Rank  and  file.  120 
men. 

8th  Co.,  Capt.  John  O'Blainiss.  '78;  ist 
Lt.  John  Polk,  '78;  2d  Lt.  William  John- 
ston, '78;  Ensign  Benjamin  Beaty,  '78. 
Rank  and  file,  106  men. 


Second  Battalion. 

Colonel  William  Rankin,  '77-8;  Lt.  Col. 
John  Ewing,  '77-8,  Moses  McClean.  "79; 
Major  John  Morgan,  '77-8,  John  Edie,  '79. 

1st  Co., Capt.  William  Ashton,'77-8,  Sam- 
uel Cabane.  '79;  ist  Lt.  Malachi  Steahlev, 
'77,  Tvlilkeah  Shley,  '78,  William  Hall,  "79; 
2d  Lt.  James  Elliot,  '77-8;  Ensign  John 
Crull,  '77,  John  Carroll,  '78,  John  Murphey, 
Jr.,  '79.     Rank  and  file,  91  men. 

2d  Co.,  Capt.  John  Rankin,  '77-8,  Thomas 
Bigham,  "79;  ist  Lt.  Joseph  Hunter,  '77-8, 
William  McCay,  '79;  2d  Lt.  John  Ashton, 
'77-8;  Ensign  Daniel  McHenry,  '77-8,  John 
Murphey,  '79.     Rank  and  file,  88  men. 

3d  Co.,  Capt.  Simon  Copenhafer,  '77-8, 
Robert  Bigham,  '79;  ist  Lt.  Michael 
Shriver,  '77-8,  \\'illiam  jMcMun,  '79;  2d  Lt. 
Andrew  Smith.  '77-8;  Ensign  Jacob  Gut- 
wait,  '77-8,  John  Sheakley,  '79.  Rank  and 
file,  60  men. 

4th  Co.,  Capt.  Philip  Gartner,  '77,  Jacob 
Hiar,  '78,  James  Miller,  '79;  ist  Lt.  John 
Higher,  '77,  Adam  Barr,  '78,  James  Mc- 
Kinley,  '79;  2d  Lt.  Jacob  Comfort,  '78; 
Ensign  George  Hiar,  '78,  Barabus  Mc- 
Sherry,  '79.     Rank  and  file,  66  men. 

5th  Co.,  Capt.  Emanuel  Herman,  '78, 
Thomas  Orbison,  '79;  ist  Lt.  William 
Moneyer,  '77,  A\'illiam  Momer,  '78,  Joseph 
Hunter,  "79;  2d  Lt.  John  Rothrock,  '77, 
John  Bodrough,  '78;  Ensign  Harman 
Hoopes,  '78,  Robert  Wilson,  '79.  Rank 
and  file,  81  men. 

6th  Co.,  Capt.  John  Mansberger,  '77-8, 
James  Johnston,  '79;  ist  Lt.  Henry  Mat- 
thias, '77-8,  John  McBride,  '79;  2d  Lt. 
George  Meyer,  '77-8;  Ensign  Jacob  Kepler, 
'77,  Jacob  Helpler,  '78,  John  McBride,  '79- 
Rank  and  file,  7^1  men. 

7th  Co.,  Capt.  Yost  Herbach,  '77-8,  Wil- 
liam Lindsay,  '79;  ist  Lt.  Peter  Shultz, 
'77-8,  Robert  Black,  '79;  2d  Lt.  Baltzer 
Rudisill,  '77-8;  Ensign  Michael  Ettinger, 
'77-8,  Samuel  Russel,  '79.  Rank  and  file, 
50  men. 

Sth  Co.,  Capt.  A\'illiam  Walls,  '77-8, 
Thomas  Clingen,  '79;  ist  Lt.  Henry  Lee- 
pert.  '77-8.  Joseph  Brown,  '79;  2d  Lt.  John 
Jordan,  '77-8:  Ensign  James  Schultz,  '77. 
Jacob  Sholtz,  '78..  John  McLean,  79.  Rank 
and  file,  56  men. 

Third  Battalion. 

Colonel     l)a\id    Jamison.    "78;    Lt.    Col. 


THE    REVOLUTION- 


281 


Philip  Albright,  '78,  Michael  Smyser,  79; 
Major  William  Scott,  '78,  William  Ashton. 

79- 

1st  Co.,  Capt.  Jacob  Beaver,  '78,  Rinehart 

Bott,    '79;    1st    Lt.    Nicholas    Baker,    '78, 

George  Philip  Zeigler,    '79;    2d    Lt.    John 

Bare,    '78;    Ensign    George    Lefeber,    '78, 

Philip  Eberd,  '79.     Rank  and  file,  106  men. 

2d  Co.,  Capt.  Gotfry  Fry,  '78.  Henry  Mat- 
thias, '79;  1st  Lt.  John  Bushong,  '78, 
George  Meyer,  '79;  2d  Lt.  George  Spangler, 
■78;  Ensign  James  Jones,  '78,  Charles 
Hyer.  '79.     Rank  and  file,  65  men. 

3d  Co..  Capt.  Peter  Forte,  '78,  John  Mc- 
Master,  '79;  ist  Lt.  Christ  Stear,  '78,  Wil- 
liam Bennet,  '79;  2d  Lt.  Andrew  Hartsock, 
'78;  Ensign  Jacob  Welshance,  '78,  John 
INIapin.  '79.     Rank  and  file,  66  men. 

4th  Co.,  Capt.  Christopher  Lowman,  '78. 
Philip  Jacob  King,  '79;  ist  Lt.  Ephraim 
Penington,  '78,  Andrew  Cross,  '79;  2d  Lt. 
John  Fishel,  '78;  Ensign  Charles  Barnitz, 
"78,  George  ^Volf,  '79.  Rank  and  file,  72 
men. 

5th  Co.,  Capt.  Alexander  Ligget,  '78, 
Thomas  Goald,  '79;  ist  Lt.  Robert  Richey, 
'78,  George  Ensminger,  '79;  2d  Lt.  Robert 
Stewart,  '78:  Ensign  Peter  Fry,  '78,  Wil- 
liam Nailor,  '79.     Rank  and  file,  75  men. 

6th  Co.,  Capt.   George  Long,  '78,  Jacob 

Comfort,   '79;    1st    Lt.    Samnel   Smith,    '78, 

George  Meyer,  '79:  2d  Lt.  Conrad  Keesey, 

J    '78:  Ensign  Samnel  Mosser,  '78,  Elias  Gise, 

"79.     Rank  and  file,  62  men. 

7th  Co..  Capt.  :\Iichael  Hahn.  78;  ist  Lt. 

John  Mimm,  78;  2d  Lt.  Thomas  , 

78:  Ensign  Christian  Zinn,  "78.  Rank  and 
file,  75  men. 

Fourth  Battalion. 

Colonel  John  Andrew,  '78;  Lt.  Col.  Wil- 
liam ^\■alker,  '78,  William  Gillelan,  79; 
Major  Simon  Vanarsdale,  '78,  John   King, 

79- 

1st  Co.,  Capt.  John  Calmery,  '79;  ist  Lt. 
William  Hamilton.  '78,  Samuel  Gillelan, 
'79;  2d  Lt,  Joseph  Pollock,  '78;  Ensign 
Adam  W'eaver,  '78,  Nathaniel  Glassco,  '79. 
Rank  and  file,  58  men. 

2d  Co.,  Capt.  John  King,  '78,  Robert 
Cample,  '79;  ist  Lt.  James  Eliot,  '78,  John 
Bodine,  '79;  2d  Lt.  Baltzer  Tetrick,  '78; 
Ensign  \\illiam  Neely,  '78,  David  Scott, 
'79.     Rank  and  file.  64  men. 

3d  Co.,  Capt.  William  Gilliland,  '78,  David 


Stockton,  '79;  1st  Lt.  Matthew  Mitchell, 
'78,  John  Riner,  '79;  2d  Lt.  William  Kel- 
inery,  '78;  Ensign  Nicholas  Glascow,  '78, 
Elisha  Gready,  '79.     Rank  and  file,  67  men. 

4th  Co.,  Capt.  Samuel  Morrison,  '78, 
Joseph  Pollock,  '79;  ist  Lt,  Peregin  Mercer, 
78,  William  Hamilton,  '79;  2d  Lt.  John 
Armstrong;  Ensign  Stephen  K.  Gififin,  '78, 
Adam  W^eaver,  '79.     Rank  and  file,  64  men. 

5th  Coy  Capt.  John  Mcllvain,  78,  Josiah 
Carr,  'jy;  ist  Lt.  John  Range,  '78,  Lewis 
Vanarsdelin,  '79;  2d  Lt.  Francis  Clapsaddle, 
'78;  Ensign  James  Geary,  '78,  John  Watson, 
'79.     Rank  and  file,  74  men. 

6th  Co.,  Capt.  John  Stockton,  78,  James 
Elliot,  '79;  1st  Lt.  John  Anderson,  '78,  Wil- 
liam Neally,  '79:  2d  Lt.  David  Stockton. 
"78;  Ensign  Elisha  Grady,  '78,  Thomas 
Prior,  '79.     Rank  and  file,  64  men. 

7th  Co.,  Capt.  Samuel  Erwin,  '78,  Andrew 
Paterson,  '79;  ist  Lt.  William  Houghtelin, 
'78,  Abraham  Fletcher,  '79;  2d  Lt.  Henry 
Forney,  '78;  Ensign  William  Reed,  '78, 
William  Fleming,  '79.  Rank  and  file,  79 
men. 

8th  Co.,  Capt.  Thomas  Stockton,  '78, 
James  Geery,  '79:  2d  Lt.  Daniel  Mentieth, 
"78 ;  Ensign  Andrew  Patterson,  78,  George 
Sheakley,  '79.     Rank  and  file,  59  men. 

Fifth  Battalion. 

Colonel  Joseph  Jeffries,  78:  Lt.  Col. 
Alichael  Ege,  '78,  Francis  Jacob  Remer,  '79: 
]\Iajor  Joseph  Spangler,  'jS,  Joseph  Wil- 
son, '79. 

1st  Co.,  Capt.  John  Mayer,  'j'^.  Thomas 
\\-hite,  '79;  1st  Lt.  Abraham  Bollinger.  78, 
Lawrence  Helman,  '79;  Ensign  Daniel 
Hum,  78,  Francis  Winkel,  '79.  Rank  and 
file,  55  men. 

2d  Co.,  Capt.  Adam  Black.  78,  Acquilla 
^\'iley,  '79;  1st  Lt.  William  Lindsay.  78, 
Adam  Hendrix.  '79;  2d  Lt,  David  Jordan, 
'78:  Ensign  Robert  Buchanan,  '78,  Andrew 
Smith,  79.     Rank  and  file,  60  men. 

3d  Co.,  Capt.  William  McClane,'78,  Peter 
Zollinger,  79:  ist  Lt.  David  Blyth,  '78, 
^\■illiam  Hefer,  Jr.,  '79;  2d  Lt.  Benjamin 
Read,  78:  Ensign  William  Hart,  '78,  ALar- 
tin  Berkhimer.  '79.    Rank  and  file,  64  men. 

4th  Co.,  Capt.  David  Wilson,  78,  Michael 
Leightner,  '79;  ist  Lt.  Robert  Rowan,  '78. 
Henry  Kessler,  '79;  2d  Lt.  John  Thomp- 
son. '78:  Ensign  John  Cotton,  78,  John 
Ham,  "79.     Rank  and  file,  64  men. 


282 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY,    PEXXSYLVAXIA 


5tli  Co.,  Capt.  Joseph  Morrison,  '78, 
Henry  Ferree,  '79;  ist  Lt.  James  Johnston, 
'78,  John  Snyder,  '79;  2d  Lt.  John  McBride, 
'78;  Ensign  John  Buchanan,  "78,  Michael 
Snyder,  '79.     Rank  and  file,  59  men. 

6th  Co.,  Capt.  William  ]\Iiller,'78,  Andrew 
Paly,  '79;  1st  Lt.  James  Porter,  '78,  John 
Stump,  79;  Ensign  Barnabas  McCherry, 
■78,  Philip  ^^'ylan(i,  79.  Rank  and  file,  59 
men. 

7lh  Co.,  Capt.  Thomas  Orbison,  '78, 
George  Geishelman,  '79;  ist  Lt.  Robert 
McElhenny,  78,  Andrew  Lau,  '79;  2d  Lt. 
Joseph  Hunter,  '78;  Ensign  Robert  Wil- 
son, '78,  Valentine  Alt,  '79.  Rank  and  file, 
60  men. 

8th  Co.,  Capt.  John  Paxton,  '78,  John 
Shorrer,  '79;  ist  Lt.  James  Marshall,  '78, 
Jacob  Barr,  '79;  2d  Lt.  William  McMun, 
■78,  Helfrich  Cramer,  '79.  Rank  and  file, 
66  men. 

Sixth  Battalion. 

Colonel  William  Ross,  '78;  Lt.  Col. 
Samuel  Nelson,  '79;  Major  James  Cham- 
berlain, '79. 

ist  Co.,  Capt.  Laird,  '78,  Peter 

Speece,  '79;  ist  Lt.  William  Reed,  '78,  Johln 
Swan,  '79;  Ensign  David  Steel,  '78,  John 
Snyder,  '79.     Rank  and  file,  84  men. 

2d  Co.,  Capt.  Casper  Reineke,  '78,  \\'il- 
liam  Coulson,  '79;  ist  Lt.  Jacob  Rudisell, 
78,  Christian  Keener,  '79;  2d  Lt.  Simon 
Clear,  '78;  Ensign  Elias  Davis,  '78, 
^Latthew  Dill,  79.     Rank  and  file,  89  men. 

Sd-tCo..  Capt.  Alexander  Nesbit,  '79,  Lt. 
Charles  Brouster,  '79;  Ensign  Henry  De- 
walt,  '78,  Lazarus  Nelson,  '79.  Rank  and 
file,  85  men. 

4th  Co.,  Capt.  Frederick  Kurtz,  '78,  An- 
drew Willson,  '79;  1st  Lt.  Matthew  Baker, 
'78,    James     Quigly,     '79;     2d     Lt.     Henry 

M- ;     Ensign    Charles    Vantine,     '78, 

AA'illiam  Buns,  '79.     Rank  and  file,  8^  men. 

5th  Co.,  Capt.  Peter  Ekes,  '78,  Francis 
Boner.  '79;  ist  Lt.  Jolin"  Mullin,  '78, 
Thomas  Black,  79;  2d  Lt.  Jonas  Wolf; 
Ensign  George  Harmon,  '78,  Peter  Zeigler, 
'79.     Rank  and  file,  84  men. 

6th  Co.,  Capt.  Leonard  Yenswene,  '78, 
William.  Dodds,  '79;  ist  Lt.  John  Wampler, 
■78,  Joseph  Dodds,  Jr.,  '79;  2d  Lt.  Jacob 
Xucomer,  '78:  Ensign  Ludwick  Wampler, 
'78,  Adam  Guchus,  "79.  Rank  and  file,  58 
men. 

7th  Co.,  Capt.  Andrew  Foreman,  '78.  John 


Oblanas,  '79;  ist  Lt.  Henry  Sturgeon,  78, 
John  Polack,  "79;  2d  Lt.  Richard  Parsell, 
"78;  Ensign  James  McMaster,  '78,  Benja- 
min Beaty,  '79.     Rank  and  file,  86  men. 

8th  Co.,  Capt.  Abraham  Sell,  78,  Daniel 
May,  79;  1st  Lt.  Jacob  Kitsmiller,  '78,  An- 
drew Alilhorn,  79;  Ensign  Charles  Grim, 
79.     Rank  and  file,  66  men. 

Seventh  Battalion. 

Colonel  David  Kennedy,  '78;  Lt.  Col. 
James  Agnew,  '78,  Adam  Winterode,  '79; 
IMajor  John  Weans,  '78,  Joseph  Lilley,  '79. 

1st  Co.,  Capt.  Thomas  Latta,  '78,  Simon 
Clare,  '79;  ist  Lt.  Robert  Fletcher,  '78, 
Frederick  Eyler,  '79;  2d  Lt.  Samuel  Cobain ; 
Ensign  Henry  Shultz,  '79.  Rank  and  file, 
69  men. 

2d  Co.,  Capt.  Thomas  White.  "78,  Michael 
Carl,  '79;  1st  Lt.  Robert  Geffries,  78.  Adam 
Hooper.  '79;  2d  Lt.  John  Gefifries,  78;  En- 
sign Alexander  Lee.  '78,  Henry  Felty,  '79. 
Rank  and  file,  57  men. 

3d  Co.,  Capt.  John  ]\Iiller,  78.  Conrad 
Shorets,  '79;  ist  Lt.  Peter  Smith,  '78, 
Henry  Dewalt,  79;  2d  Lt.  John  McDonald, 
'78;  Ensign  Quiller  Winny,  '78,  Anthony 
Hinkel,  79.     Rank  and  file,  60  men. 

4th  Co.,  Capt.  Abraham  Furree,  '79, 
Peter  Solinger,  '78;  ist  Lt.  Daniel  Amer, 
'78,  Christian  Koenzan,  '79;  2d  Lt.  Joseph 
Baltzler,  '78;  Ensign  Anthony  Snider.  '78, 
John  Smith,  '79.     Rank  and  file,  64  men. 

5th  Co..  Capt.  John  Arman,  '78,  Henry 
Moore.  '79;  ist  Lt.  Daniel  Peterman,  '78, 
Henry  Hohsteter,  '79;  2d  Lt.  Michael  Sech, 
'78:  Ensign  George  Arman,  '78,  Ulrich 
Hohsteter,  '79.     Rank  and  file,  65  men. 

6th  Co.,  Capt.  George  Geiselman,  '78, 
Andrew  Foreman,  '79;  ist  Lt.  Frederick 
Hiner,  '78,  James  McMaster,  '79;  2d  Lt. 
Henry  Sumrough,  '78;  Ensign  Valentine 
Alt,  '78,  Peter  Foreman.  '79.  Rank  and  file, 
63  men. 

7th    Co.,    Capt.   Jacob   Anient,    '78,   John 

Wampler,  '79;  ist  Lt.  Alexander . 

'78,  Adam  Fisher,  '79:  2d  Lt.  Nicholas  An- 
drews, '78;  Ensign  Adam  Clinepeter,  '78, 
Christian  Gehret,  '79.  Rank  and  file,  55 
men. 

<   8th  Co.,  Capt.  John    Sherer,    '78.    Peter, 
Ikes.  '79;  1st  Lt.  Jacob  Hetrick,  78.  Jonas 
Wolf,    '79;    2d    Lt.    Frederick    Mayer,"   '78; 
Ensign  Jacob  Bear,  '78,  Alexander  Adams, 
'79.     Rank  and  file,  70  iTien. 


•A'OLUTIOX 


283 


Eighth  BattaUon. 

Colonel  Henry  .Slagle,  "78;  Lt.  Col.  John 
Laird.  '79;  Major  Joseph  Lilley,  '78,  David 
Wiley,  '79. 

1st  Co.,  Capt.  Nicholas  Gelwix,  '78,  James 
Maffet,  '79;  1st  Lt.  Adam  Hoopard,  '78, 
James  Patterson,  '79;  2d  Lt.  George  Gel- 
wix, '78;  Ensign  Henry  Felty,  '78,  Alex- 
ander Allison,  '79.     Rank  and  file,  86  men. 

2d  Co.,  Capt.  Thomas  Manery,  '79;  ist 
Lt.  Isaac  McKissick.  '78,  Thomas  Gowan, 
'79;  Ensign  Thomas  Dixon,  '78,  David 
Douglass,  '79.    Rank  and  file,  62  men. 

3d  Co..  Capt.  Umphry  Andrews,  '79, 
Joseph  Reed,  '78;  ist  Lt.  Robert  Smith,  '78, 
Elias  Adams,  '79;  Ensign  Samuel  Collins, 
'78,  Allen  Anderson,  '79.  Rank  and  file,  53 
men. 

4th  Co.,  Capt.  William  Gray,  '78,  John 
Calwell,  '79;  1st  Lt.  James  Patterson,  '78, 
John  Sinkler,  '79;  2d  Lt.  Humphries  An- 
drews, '78;  Ensign  William  McCulluch,  '78, 
James  Logne,  '79.     Rank  and  file,  69  men. 

;th  Co.,  Capt.  James  Moffit,  '78,  Samuel 
Fulton.  '79;  1st  Lt.  Andrew  Warick,  '78, 
Moses  Andrews,  '79;  2d  Lt.  Samuel  Moor, 
'78:  Ensign  Thomas  Allison,  '78,  Thomas 
Dickson,  '79.     Rank  and  file,  64  men. 

6th  Co.,  Capt.  John  Rippy,  '78.  James 
Edger,  '79;  1st  Lt.  John  Caldwell,  '78,  John 
"Xampble,  '79;  Ensign  John  Taylor,  '79. 
Rank  and  file,  44  men. 

7th  Co.,  Capt.  Joseph  Reed,  '78.  Rank 
and  file,  59  men. 

Sth  Co.,  Capt.  Thomas  McXerey,  '78;  ist 
Lt.-  William  Adams,  '78.  Rank  and  file,  54 
men. 

The  following  is  a  miscellaneous  list  of 
soldiers  from  York  County  who  served  in 
the  Revolution :  Samuel  Way,  Newberry 
Township;  William  Complin.  Marsh  Creek 
settlement:  Eli  Pugh.  Warrington  Town- 
ship; Hugh  Mcr^Ianus,  ilonoghan  Town- 
ship, enlisted  February  12.  1782;  James 
Brown,  Marsh  Creek  settlement,  enlisted 
February  13,  1782;  Matthew  Robinson, 
Bermudian  settlement,  March  3.  1782; 
.Andrew  Guin,  near  James  ^loore's  mill,  in 
"S'ork  County,  March  3.  1782:  James 
Walker.  York  County:  John  McClelland, 
York  County,  in  the  Third  Pennsylvania 
Regiment;  John  Hanna.  near  Tom's  Creek, 
April  I,  1782:  David  Johnston,  April  5, 
1782:  John  Callahan.  .April  8.  1782:  Thomas 
AA'est.  Xewberry  Township,  .April  23.  1782;. 


.\ndrew  Graham.  Bottstown,  June  26,  1782; 
John  Walter,  born  in  Windsor  Township; 
John  Flodgskin.  York  County ;  Hugh  Mc- 
Ellvaney,  Tyrone  Township,  September  2, 
1782;  William  Magahy,  born  in  York 
County,  lived  in  Cumberland  County;  Wil- 
liam Scarlett,  Newberry  Township;  Robert 
Miller,  York,  October  21,  1782;  William 
Johnston,  near  Michael  Ege's  iron  works; 
Daniel  Gordon,  Mt.  Pleasant  Township, 
December  12,  1782;  James  O'Neal,  Man- 
heim  Township;  John  Walker,  born  in 
Peach  Bottom,  last  resided  near  Carlisle, 
February  22,  1782;  Thomas  Benson,  died 
in  York  County  in  1808;  Jacob  Cramer,  re- 
siding in  York  County  in  1829:  Matthew 
Dill,  died  on  Jersey  prison  ship;  Martin 
Doll,  resided  in  York  in  1829:  Thomas  Duff, - 
resided  in  York,  182^ j  Vincent  linfelt,  re- 
sided in  York  County  in  1829;  William 
Johnson,  resided  in  York  County,  1824; 
Moses  Keys,  resided  in  York  County  in 
1810;  John  McCowan,  resided  in  York 
County,  1819;  Daniel  Messerly,  died  in 
York  County;  Jacob  Myer,  resided  in  York 
County  in  1816;  Jacob  McMillan,  resided  in 
A\'ashington  Township  in  1812;  Michael 
Nagle,  died  on  Jersey  prison  ship;  Robert 
Peeling,  sergeant,  resided  in  York  County 

in    1820;  Ryebaker,   wounded   in 

service,  resided  in  Dover  Township  in 
1807:  William  \\'ilson,  died  in  York  County 
in  1813. 

PENSIONERS  OF  THE  REVOLUTION 

The  following  is  a  list  of  soldiers  of  the 
Revolution  from  York  County  who  be- 
longed to  different  commands  and  received 
pensions  under  act  of  1818: 

John  Clark,  Major,  received  an  annual 
allowance  of  $240,  and  served  in  the  Penn- 
sylvania Line:  he  died  .\pril  27,  1819,  aged 
67;  Jacob  Cramer,  private,  served  in 
Hazen's  German  regiment,  received  an  an- 
nual allowance  of  $96:  died  May  19,  1832, 
aged  78.  Robert  Ditcher,  enlisted  in  the 
spring  of  1777.  in  the  New  York  Continen- 
tal Line,  in  Captain  James  Lee's  company 
of  artillery  then  in  Philadelphia,  attached  to 
the  regiment  commanded  by  Colonel  Lamb. 
He  was  present  and  took  part  in  the  battle 
of  White  Plains.  Staten  Island,  Monmouth, 
^lud  Island  and  Germantown,  and  was  sev- 
eral times  wounded:  died  January  10,  1832, 
aged  /S.     James  Hogg  served  from  January 


284 


HIS'l'ORY   OF  YORK   COUXTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


26,  1779.  in  the  First  Regiment  of  ?\!ary- 
land  Line,  commanded  at  first  by  Colonel 
Smallwood,  and  afterward  by  Colonel 
Stone.  His  company  was  at  first  that  of 
Captain  Nathaniel  Ramsay,  and  afterward 
that  of  Captain  Hazen;  died  January  3, 
1824,  aged  79.  Frederick  Huebner,  private, 
served  in  Armand's  Legion,  in  the  company 
of  Captain  Barron,  for  the  term  of  about 
three  years;  died  August  17,  1828,  aged  76. 
Jacob  McClean,  pri\-ate,  served  in  Colonel 
Housegger's  regiment,  called  the  "German 
Regiment,"  in  the  company  of  Captain 
Benjamin  Weiser,  from  July,  1776,  until 
1779;  died  February  18,  1824,  aged  66. 
Zenos  Macomber,  private,  served  in  Colonel 
Carter's  Regiment  from  May,  1775,  until 
Januarj-,  1776.  -when  he  enlisted  in  Colonel 
Bond's  regiment  of  the  ALissachusetts 
Line.  Serving  in  this  regiiuent  aliout  two 
months,  he  was  removed  and  placed  in 
General  Washington's  foot  guard,  where  he 
served  until  January,  1777,  when  he  enlisted 
in  General  Washington's  horse  guard  in 
which  he  served  three  years:  died  in  1835, 
aged  j"^.  Conrad  Pudding,  private,  serxed 
in  -Irmand's  Legion,  in  Captain  Sheriff's 
company,  from  the  spring  of  1781,  until  the 
fall  of  1783,  when  the  army  was  disbanded; 
died  April  30,  ]828,  aged  74.  Thomas 
Randolph.  ])rivale.  serx'ed  in  the  Se\enth 
Regiment  of  the  Virginia  Line,  commanded 
by  Colonel  McClellan.  in  the  company  of 
Captain  Peasey,  from  1775  to  1778;  died 
June  25,  1828,  aged  'i-/.  Samuel  Ramble, 
private,  served  in  the  First  Regiment  of  the 
Virginia  Line,  under  Colonel  Campbell,  in 
the  company  commanded  by  Captain  ]\Ioss, 
during  the  last  three  }ears  of  the  war;  died 
July  28,  1830,  aged  -ji.  Godlove  (Dedlove) 
Shadow,  pri\'ate,  served  from  the  spring  of 
1776,  until  the  close  of  the  war  in  the 
regiment  commanded  by  Colonel  Moses 
Hazen,  in  the  comiiany  of  Captain  Duncan; 
died  January  24.  1825.  aged  69.  Samuel 
Spicer.  private,  serx-ed  in  the  Tenth  Regi- 
ment of  the  Pennsylvania  Line,  under  Colo- 
nel Humpton,  in  Captain  \\'eaver's  com- 
pany, for  about  one  year  before  the  close  of 
the  war:  invalid  pensioner,  received  an  an- 
nual allowance  of  $96  from  March  4,  1789; 
died  in  1818.  aged  8r.  John  Schneider,  pri- 
vate, served  in  Colonel  Hartley's  regiment. 
Captain  David  Grier's  company,  from 
Xovemljer    11,    1775.   until   the  end   of   one 


year  and  three  months.  He  afterward 
ser\-ed  in  the  regiment  commanded  by  Colo- 
nel Haren,  in  Captain  Turner's  company 
from  the  early  jiart  of  1777,  until  the  end 
of  the  war:  died  August  11,  1827,  aged  76. 
James  Silk,  private,  ser\'ed  in  the  Maryland 
Continental  Line;  died  in  1835,  aged  84. 
John  Taylor,  musician,  enlisted  in  February. 
1778,  at  Mt.  Holly,  New  Jersey,  in  the  com- 
pany of  Captain  John  Cummings.  and  in 
the  Second  Regiment  of  the  New  Jersey 
l^ine,  attached  to  the  brigade  commanded 
b\-  General  Maxwell:  continued  in  service 
until  October.  1783,  when  lie  was  dis- 
charged near  Morristown,  N.  J.  He  \\'as 
at  the  battle  of  Monmouth,  and  at  the 
capture  of  Cornwallis  at  Yorktown ;  he 
ser\'ed  as  a  ^•olunteer  at  the  storming  of 
Stony  Point,  by  General  Wayne,  at  which 
he  was  slightly  wounded;  died  in  1835,  aged 
"jj.  r^Iichael  \\'eirick,  served  in  the  Sixth 
Regiment  of  the  ^Maryland  I-<ine  under 
Colonel  A\'illiams  and  Colonel  Stewart,  and 
in  the  company  of  Captain  Rebelle,  during 
the  last  five  years  of  the  \\-ar ;  died  August 
1},.  1825.  aged  71.  Philip  AA'agner,  served 
in  the  A'irginia  Continental  Line;  died  in 
1835,  aged  90.  George  Lingenfelder,  served 
in  Captain  Michael  McGuire's  company,  in 
Colonel  Brooks'  regiment,  of  Maryland, 
from  June,  1780,  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
At  the  battle  of  Erandywine  he  was  severely 
wounded;  died  in  1818,  aged  59.  Hum- 
phrey Andrews,  enlisted  in  Chester  County, 
Pennsylvania,  on  January  26,  1776,  for  the 
term  of  one  year,  in  the  company  then  com- 
manded by  Captain  James  Taylor,  in  the 
Fourth  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  com- 
manded by  Colonel  Anthony  Wa}-ne. 
From  Chester  County  he  marched  by  way 
of  New  York,  Albany-,  Ticonderoga  and 
Crown  Point,  to  Montreal,  at  which  place 
they  met  the  troops  under  General  Thomp- 
son, who  were  returning  from  the  battle  of 
Three  Rivers.  He  thence  returned  with 
his  fellow  soldiers  to  Crown  Point,  -where 
he  remained  until  January  24,  1777,  sta- 
tioned between  the  two  armies  of  Burgoyne 
and  Flowe.  ]\Iarching  to  Chester,  he  was 
discharged  on  the  25th  of  February.  1777. 
Andrews  was  engaged  in  a  skirmish  with 
the  British  in  November.  1776.  He  died  in 
1818,  aged  63.  Jacob  Mayer,  enlisted  in 
York  County,  served  in  Colonel  AVayne's 
regiment,    in    the   company   commandetl   by 


THE    REVOLUTION 


28: 


Captain  James  Taylor  from  Februar}-,  1776, 
to  the  end  of  one  year,  when  he  was  dis- 
cliargcd  at  Chester;  died  1828,  aged  67. 
Matthias  Kraut  served  in  the  Tenth  Regi- 
ment of  the  Pennsylvania  Line,  commanded 
l)y  Captain  Stout,  from  1776,  to  the  close  of 
the  war.  He  died  in  1818,  aged  58.  Jacob 
Kramer,  served  in  the  regiment  com- 
manded by  Captain  Housegger,  and  after- 
ward by  Colonel  Weltman,  in  the  company 
commanded  by  Captain  Paulsell,  and  after- 
ward b\'  Captain  Bo}er.  He  ser\ed  from 
July  19,  1776,  until  Jul\'  19,  1779.  He  died 
in  1818,  aged  62. 

The  following  soldiers  from  York  County 
who  served  in  the  Pennsyhania  Line,  un- 
der an  act  of  1818,  received  an  annual  allow- 
ance of  $96,  and  were  dropped  from  the  roll 
under  act  of  May  i,  1820: 

John  Brown,  private,  aged  69;  Jacob  Fit- 
zer,  private,  aged  74;  Abraham  Greenwalt, 
private,  aged  62;  Anthony  Lehman,  private, 
served  in  the  Fifth  Regiment,  under  Colo- 
nel INIcGaw,  in  the  company  of  Captain 
Deckert,  from  February,  1775,  to  January, 
^777'  aged  67;  David  Ramsey,  private, 
served  in  the  First  Rifle  Regiment,  under 
Colonel  Edward  Hand,  the  company  under 
Captain  Henry  Miller,  from  July  i,  1775, 
until  June,  1776.  Being  then  discharged, 
he  joined  Colonel  Harnum's  regiment,  and 
was  in  service  until  taken  prisoner  at  the 
battle  of  Brandywine.  He  w-as  present  and 
took  part  in  the  battles  of  Bunker  Hill, 
Long  Island,  Flat  Bush,  at  one  of  wdiich  he 
was  wounded  in  the  head:  aged  71. 

The  following  soldiers  from  YorkCounty, 
who  served  in  the  Pennsylvania  Line,  under 
act  of  1818,  received  an  annual  allowance  of 
$96.  and  died  at  the  dates  named : 

John  Beatty,  private,  served  in  the  Sixth 
Pennsylvania  Regiment,  commanded  by 
Colonel  Irwin,  in  the  company  of  Abraham 
Smith,  from  February,  1776,  until  February, 
1777,  died  August  30,  1829,  aged  74;  John 
Jacob  Brown  (Bauer),  private,  served  in  the 
First  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  commanded 
by  Colonel  Chambers,  in  Captain  James 
\Vilson's  company,  from  September,  1774, 
until  the  close  of  the  war,  died  December  2, 
1827,  aged  82:  William  Brown,  private,  en- 
listed at  Philadelphia  in  the  autumn  of  1777, 
for  the  term  of  tliree  years,  in  the  company 
commanded  by  Captain  John  Doyle,  and 
the    First    Reariment    of    the    Pennsvlvania 


Line  commanded  by  Colonel  Hand.  He 
was  at  the  battles  of  Brandywine.  Trenton, 
Princeton,  Monmouth,  Stony  Point  and 
Paoli,  at  the  last  of  which  he  received  sev- 
eral W'Ounds ;  served  six  years  and  was  dis- 
charged at  Lancaster;  died  June  12,  1822, 
aged  jy..  William  Cline,  private,  served  in 
Colonel  \\'ayne's  regiment,  in  Captain 
Frazer's  company,  from  December,  1775, 
to  March,  1777;  died  January  21,  1825,  aged 
70.  ^Matthias  Crout,  private,  served  in  the 
Tenth  Regiment,  in  a  company  commanded 
by  Captain  Stout,  from  1776,  to  the  close  of 
the  war;  died  July  22,  1827,  aged  67.  John 
Deveney,.  private,  served  in  the  Fourth 
Regiment,  commanded  by  Colonel  Anthony 
Wayne,  in  Captain  Robinson's  company, 
from  the  fall  of  1775,  until  the  close  of  one 
year,  at  which  time  he  entered  the  Fifth 
Regiment,  in  Captain  Bartholomew's  com- 
pany, in  which  he  served  until  the  close  of 
the  war;  died  February  15,  1827,  aged  69. 
John  Deis,  private,  served  in  Captain  David 
Grier's  company,  in  the  regiment  com- 
manded by  Colonel  Hartley,  from  March, 
1776,  until  the  end  of  one  year;  died  April 
5.  1822,  aged  66.  Joel  Gray,  private,  served 
in  Colonel  Hartley's  regiment,  in  the  com- 
pany of  Captain  Bush,  from  October,  1778, 
until  the  first  of  April.  1781 ;  died  October 
9,  1820,  aged  yj.  John  Lockert,  private, 
served  in  Colonel  Proctor's  regiment  of  ar- 
tillery, in  the  company  of  Captain  Duftie, 
from  June,  1777,  until  June,  1779;  died  June 
I,  1830,  aged  76  Matthew  Liddy,  private, 
died  April  24,  1830,  aged  87.  Christopher 
Xew  (Nerr),  private,  served  in  the  Second 
Regiment,  commanded  by  Colonel  Stewart, 
under  Captain  Patterson,  from  April,  1777, 
until  January.  1780;  died  December  i,  1826, 
aged  "j}^.  John  Ohmet.  private,  served  in 
the  Tenth  Regiment,  commanded  by  Colo- 
nel Richard  Hunipton.  in  the  company  of 
Captain  Flicks,  from  May.  1777,  until  the 
close  of  the  war:  died  April  16.  1823,  aged 
65.  William  Smith,  private,  served  in  the 
Second  Regiment,  under  Captain  Watson, 
from  February.  1776.  until  the  close  of  one 
year;  enlisted  in  the  Fourth  Regiment, 
commanded  b\'  Colonel  William  Butler,  in 
Captain  Bird's  company;  died  July  4.  1821. 
aged  71.  Adam  Schuman.  pri\ate.  served 
in  the  Fifth  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  com- 
manded by  Colonel  Richard  Butler,  in  Cap- 
tain   Walker's    company,    commanded    by 


286 


HIS'I'ORV    OK   YORK    COl'XTV.    PEXXSYL\'.\XIA 


Lieutenant  Feldman,  from  tlie  spring  of 
1776,  until  the  close  of  the  war;  died  May 
16,  1823,  aged  80.  Michael  Shultz,  private, 
served  in  Colonel  Hartley's  regiment,  in 
Captain  Grier's  company,  from  January, 
1776,  for  the  term  of  one  year;  died  Feb- 
i-uary  8,  1834,  aged  yy.  Joseph  Wren,  mu- 
sician, served  in  the  Seventh  Regiment,  in 
the  company  of  Captain  Wilson,  from  Jan- 
viary,  1777,  until  the  close  of  the  war;  died 
July  9,  1827,  aged  89.  Lewis  (Ludvvig) 
Waltman,  musician,  served  in  the  Sixth 
Regiment,  commanded  by  Colonel  Butler, 
in  the  company  of  Captain  Bush,  from  the 
fall  of  1777,  for  the  term  of  three  years  and 
a  half;  died  August  8,  1822,  aged  64. 
Rhinehart  Wire,  musician,  died  July  7,  1827, 
aged  70.  Edward  Smith,  private,  served  in 
Pulaski's  Legion,  died  June  26,  1832,  aged 
76.  Christopher  Sype,  musician,  served  in 
the  Pennsylvania  Line;  died  October  2, 
1832. 

The  following  soldiers  from  York  County, 
who  served  in  the  Pennsylvania  Continen- 
tal Line,  were  on  the  pension  rolls  in  the 
year  1835,  under  the  act  passed  in  1818,  and 
received  an  annual  allowance  of  $96: 

Thomas  Burk.  fifer,  aged  74,  served  in 
Tenth  Regiment,  commanded  by  Lieuten- 
ant Colonel  Hazen,  from  June,  1778,  until 
1781 ;  William  Bargenhoff,  private,  aged  87; 
John  Cavenough.  corporal,  aged  83;  Martin 
Doll,  private,  aged  79;  Jonathan  Jacobs, 
private,  aged  70;  Peter  Myers,  private,  aged 
74;  Martin  Miller,  private,  served  in  Count 
Pulaski's  Legion,  in  Captain  Seleski's  com- 
pany for  the  term  of  eighteen  months,  aged 
71;  Michael  Peter,  private,  aged  83;  Philip 
Peter  Scherer,  private,  aged  76;  Henry 
Snyder,  private,  aged  78:  Anthony  Sloth- 
our,  musician,  aged  83;  V^alentine  Stickel, 
musician,  aged  82;  ]\Iichael  Warner,  musi- 
cian, served  in  Captain  Jacob  Bower's  com- 
pany, from  October,  1781,  until  October, 
1783,  aged  75;  Andrew  Young,  musician, 
aged  78;  Henry  Doll,  private,  served  in  the 
First  Regiment,  under  Colonel  Stewart,  and 
in  the  company  under  Captain  Shade,  for 
about  one  year,  aged  78:  Frederick  Boyer, 
private,  served  in  the  detachment  under 
Colonel  Almon,  from  1777  to  1779,  when  he 
enlisted  in  a  corps  of  cavalry  under  Captain 
Selinski,  and  under  the  command  of  General 
Pulaski ;  served  in  the  corps  until  nearly  the 
whole  of  it  was  destroyed,  aged  83.     John 


Michael,  private,  aged  91 ;  Christian  Pepret, 
served  in  Colonel  Butler's  regiment,  in 
Captain  Bush's  company,  from  the  year 
1779  until  the  close  of  the  war,  aged  83. 

The  following  Revolutionary  soldiers,  re- 
siding in  York  County,  were  placed  on  pen- 
sion rolls  March  4,  183 1,  most  of  whom  re- 
ceived an  annual  allowance  varying  from 
$20  to  $40 : 

Jonathan  Mifflin,  deputy-quartermaster, 
served  in  Pennsylvania  militia,  received  an- 
nual allowance  of  $425;  aged  80.  Adam 
Wolf,  lieutenant,  served  in  the  Pennsylvania 
State  troops,  received  an  annual  allowance 
of  $92,  aged  84.  John  Datamar,  ensign, 
served  in  Pennsylvania  State  troops,  aged 
//.  Henry  Feltz,  ensign  and  private, 
served  in  Pennsylvania  militia,  aged  76. 
James  Patterson,  pri\-ate,  served  in  Penn- 
sylvania militia,  received  an  annual  allow- 
ance of  $76,  aged  80.  Henry  Baumgard- 
ner,  private,  served  in  Pennsylvania  militia, 
aged  76;  John  Bullock,  private,  served  in 
Maryland  militia,  aged  84;  George  Bailey, 
private,  served  in  Pennsylvania  militia,  aged 
/T,;  John  Baker,  private,  in  Maryland  mili- 
tia, aged  76;  Heifer  Cramer,  private,  in 
Pennsylvania  militia,  aged  79;  Joseph  Croft, 
private,  in  Pennsylvania  State  troops,  aged 
79;  James  Cross,  private,  in  Pennsylvania 
militia,  aged  75;  Michael  Coppenhaffer, 
private,  in  Pennsylvania  militia:  Andrew 
Finfrock,  private,  in  Pennsylvania  militia, 
aged  jy;  Henry  Geip,  private,  in  Pennsyl- 
vania militia,  aged  78;  George  Goodyear, 
private,  in  Pennsylvania  militia,  aged  82 ; 
Philip  Gohn,  private,  in  Pennsylvania  mili- 
tia, aged  yy:  Henry  HofT,  private,  in  Penn- 
sylvania militia,  aged  74;  Jacob  Innois, 
private,  in  Pennsylvania  militia,  aged  82: 
John  Jacobs,  private,  in  Pennsylvania  mili- 
tia, aged  80;  George  Krebs,  private  in 
Pennsylvania  militia,  aged  80;  Valeiitine 
Kohler,  private,  in  Pennsylvania  militia, 
aged  79;  John  Kroan.  private,  in  Pennsyl- 
vania militia,  aged  yy:  Peter  Grumbine, 
private,  in  Pennsylvania  Continental  Line, 
aged  yT,:  Christian  Klinedinst,  private,  in 
Pennsylvania  militia,  aged  76;  John  Lipp, 
private,  in  Maryland  militia,  aged  88;  Nich- 
olas Leber,  private,  in  Pennsylvania  militia, 
aged  78;  Frederick  Leader,  private,  served 
in  artillery  and  infantry  in  Pennsylvania 
Line,  aged  74:  Philip  Miller,  private,  in 
Pennsylvania  militia,  aged  83;  Adam  Pope, 


THE    RICXOUUTIOX 


287 


private,  in  Pennsylvania  militia,  aged  68: 
Daniel  Pegg,  private,  in  New  Jersey  militia, 
received  an  annual  allowance  of  $53,  aged 
78;  Dewalt  Rabenstine.  pri\ate,  in  Pennsyl- 
vania militia,  aged  "/T,;  Jacob  Rudy,  private, 
in  Penns3'lvania  militia,  aged  83;  Alatthias 
Ritz,  pri\ate,  in  Pennsylvania  militia,  aged 
yy;  John  Stroman,  private,  in  Pennsylvania 
State  troops,  aged  y^\  John  Schmuck,  pri- 
vate, in  Pennsyhania  militia,  aged  78; 
Adam  Schlott,  pri\-ate.  in  Pennsylvania 
militia,  aged  72;  Lewis  Shive,  private,  in 
Pennsylvania  militia,  aged  74;  Tobias  Sype, 
private,  in  Pennsylvania  militia,  aged  73; 
John  Stabb.  private,  in  Pennsylvania  mili- 
tia, aged  75 ;  Ludwig  Swartz,  private,  in 
Pennsylvania  militia,  aged  75;  George 
Switzen,  private,  in  Pennsylvania  mili- 
tia, aged  71 ;  Henry  Tome,  private, 
in  Pennsylvania  militia,  aged  80;  Alex- 
ander Thompson,  private,  in  Pennsyl- 
vania militia,  aged  75 ;  David  W'altagmer, 
private,  in  Pennsyhania  militia,  aged  y^: 
Philip  W'ambach.  private,  in  Pennsylvania 
militia,  ag«d  59 :  John  Welch,  private,  in 
Pennsylvania  militia,  aged  92:  Caspar  Zegar, 
private,  in  Pennsylvania  militia,  aged  81. 

The  following  Revolutionarv  soldiers 
were  in\alid  pensioners  residing  in  York 
County : 

■  Thomas  Campbell,  captain,  received  an 
annual  allowance  of  $240.  June  7,  1785; 
Andrew  Johnson,  lieutenant,  received  an 
annual  allowance  of  $60.  Februar_\-  15.  1812: 
Jacob  Barnitz.  ensign,  annual  allowance 
$120,  June  7,  1785;  George  Benedict,  annual 
allowance  $40,  November  22,  1809;  John 
Cavenaugh.  private,  annual  allowance  $20. 
September  4.  1794:  Henry  Slotterback, 
private  in  Butler's  regiment,  annual  allow- 
ance $60.  March  3.  1827. 

The  following  is  a  miscellaneous  list  of 
Revolutionary  pensioners : 

Robert  Peeling,  annual  allowance  $96, 
died  August  2.  1839:  Frederick  Stine ; 
Jacob  C/inder.  served  in  General  Armand's 
Legion:  Dr.  William  H.  Smith,  surgeon 
mate  in  Pennsyhania  Line:  Captain 
George  Jenkins,  served  in  Pennsylvania 
Line:  Tliomas  Henderson,  of  Peach  Bot- 
tom Township:  Jacob  Doudel.  served  in 
Pennsylvania  Line,  died  September  21, 
1831:  Philip  Graybill,  served  in  the  Second 
Regiment  of  the  Pennsylvania  Line,  died  in 
1816:  Philip  Miller,  served  in  Colonel  Gib- 


son's regiment  of  the  Pennsylvania  Line, 
enlisted  for  one  year,  in  1778;  Philip  Miller, 
served  in  Colonel  Stewart's  regiment  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Line;  Nicholas  James,  in 
1849,  aged  83:  John  Bryan,  served  in  Ar- 
mand's I^egion  until  the  end  of  the  war,  dis- 
charged at  York:  Captain  Andrew  Walker. 
served  in  Colonel  Hartley's  regiment  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Line,  from  1776  to  the  close 
of  the  war;  Captain  John  Doyle;  James 
Bennett,  sergeant  in  Proctor's  regiment  of 
artillery  in  the  Pennsylvania  Line,  died 
May  12,  1824. 

William  Russel.  of  Franklin  Township, 
ensign  in  Third  Pennsylvania  Regiment; 
vSamuel  Spicer.  private  in  Tenth  Pennsyl- 
vania Regiment;  Archibald  Steel,  officer  in 
First  Pennsylvania  Regiment;  John  Brown, 
private  in  Captain  Andrew  L'win's  com- 
pany in  the  Seventh  Pennsylvania  Regi- 
ment, under  Colonel  David  Grier  ;£Samuel 
IMosser.  Washington  County,  private  in 
-Vrmand's  Legioii7?Christian  Babst,  private, 
in  Armand's  Legron ;  Captain  John  Wamp- 
ler.  engaged  seven  months'  men  in  1780; 
Barnet  Slough,  private  in  Armand's  Legion; 
William  ^Marshall,  of  York.  pri\-ate  Arm- 
and's Legion. 

The  names  of  the  following  Revolution- 
ary pensioners  were  collected  from  the 
records  of  John  Morris,  a  notary  public  of 
the  Borough  of  York,  and  found  in  the 
office  of  Register  of  Wills  of  the  count)': 
Peter  Tims  or  Tome,  a  private  in  .Arm- 
and's Legion;  John  Boyle:  John  '  Trie, 
private  Captain  Bell's  Company,  Second 
Xew  A'ork  Regiment,  Colonel  Philip  Cort- 
landt;  Peter  Christian,  private  Armand's 
Legion:  John  Michael:  George  Benedict: 
Da\"id  Kramer,  private  .\rmand's  Legion: 
Ephraim  Ferguson,  shoemaker,  private  in 
Captain  Gibson's  Company,  Fifth  Pennsyl- 
vania Regiment;  Andrew  McFarlin.  dra- 
goon in  Armand's  Legion:  George  Zinn; 
Thomas  Johnson,  lieutenant  in  Colonel 
Cunningham's  Battalion. 

Richard  Yarding,  a  corporal  in  Captain 
Graeff's  Company,  Colonel  Swope's  Regi- 
ment, March  27,  1782,  received  from  the 
comity  by  order  of  the  court  twenty-five 
pounds,  or  about  $125,  for  services  while  a 
prisoner  of  war  on  Long  Island.  He  w^as 
also  allow^ed  the  pension  of  a  corporal  from 
the  county,  beginning  from  the  time  of  his 
release  on  account  of  his  disabilitv. 


288 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY,   PEXXSYLVAXIA 


John  Stead,  a  private  in  Colonel  Hart- 
le3'"s  Eleventh  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  was 
severely  wounded  at  Paoli.  In  October, 
1782,  the  court  allowed  him  twenty-five 
shillings  per  month  on  account  of  disability. 

George  Stewart,  of  Windsor  Township, 
must  have  been  one  of  the  youngest  sol- 
diers of  the  Revolution.  .  He  enlisted  in 
Captain  Porter's  company  in  the  lower  end 
of  York  County,  as  a  substitute,  when,  ac- 
cording to  an  official  record,  he  was  utterly 
incapable  of  carrying  a  musket.  He  was 
sold  as  a  substitute  by  his  master,  George 
Shetter. 

Robert  Coney,  a  soldier  of  the  Revolu- 
tion, was  born  at  York  in  1758  and  died  De- 
cember, i860,  at  his  liome  in  Hamilton 
County,  Ohio,  at  the  age  of  one  hundred 
and  two  years.  He  had  entered  the  army 
under  Washington  as  a  drummer  at  the  age 
of  thirteen. 

John  Purnell,  the  last  survivor  of  the 
Revolution  from  York  County,  died  at  his 
residence  on  South  Street,  York,  May  22, 
1863,  at  the  age  of  ninety-eight.  In  1777, 
at  the  age  of  eleven  years,  he  became  a 
cabin  boy  on  board  one  of  the  war  vessels 
of  Commodore  Paul  Jones,  the  founder  of 
the  American  navy,  and  is  supposed  to  have 
been  with  that  officer  when  he  won  the  \'ic- 
tory  over  the  British  off  the  coast  of  France. 
Purnell  was  a  pensioner  from  the  year  1S18 
to  the  time  of  his  death  in  1863. 


CHAPTER  XVIII 
CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS  AT  YORK 

Samuel  Adams'  Great  Speech — John  Han- 
cock's Resignation  —  Laurens  Chosen 
President — First  National  Thanksgiving 
— Articles  of  Confederation  Adopted — 
Proceedings  in  1778. 

In  the  summer  of  1777  General  Howe  de- 
termined to  leave  X^ew  York  for  the  purpose 
of  attacking  Philadelphia,  the  seat  of  the 
United  States  Government.  He  embarked 
in  July  with  18,000  men.  Finding  that  the 
entrance  to  the  Delaware  River  was  well 
fortified  and  that  strong  defenses  had  been 
erected  a  short  distance  below  Philadelphia, 
he  decided  to  enter  Pennsylvania  by  sailing 
up  the  Chesapeake.  Owing  to  a  stormy 
passage,  he  did  not  arrive  at  the  head  of  the 
bay  until  August  25,  when  he  landed  at 
Elkton,  ]Maryland. 


At  this  time  General  Washington  with  a 
small  army  crossed  X^ew  Jersey  to  defend 
Philadelphia.  A  resolution  of  Congress 
was  passed,  calling  out  the  militia  of  Penn- 
sylvania, Virginia,  Maryland  and  Delaware. 
August  26,  John  Adams,  of  Massachusetts, 
then  a  delegate  in  Congress  and  President 
of  the  Board  of  War,  wrote:  "Congress 
has  been  informed  that  Howe's  army  has 
landed  upon  the  banks  of  the  Elk  River. 
The  militia  are  turning  out  with  great  alac- 
rity from  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania. 
They  are  distressed  for  want  of  arms. 
^lany  have  no  arms  and  others  only  small 
fowling  pieces." 

Washington  now  moved  his  army  farther 
south  and  on  September  11  with  11,000 
men,  met  Howe  with  his  18,000  British 
regulars  and  Hessians  at  Chad's  Ford  on 
the  Brandywine,  where  a  desperate  battle 
took  place.  Washington  was  obliged  to  re- 
tire from  the  field,  but  the  defeat  was  so 
slight  that  he  was  able  to  detain  Howe  for 
two  weeks  on  the  march  of  only  twenty-six 
miles  to  Philadelphia. 

During  these  stirring  times  when  the 
sound  of  the  British  guns  was  heard  in 
Philadelphia  from  the  battle  of  Brandywine, 
Congress  resolved  to  remove  the  public  ^ 
records  to  the  interior  of  Pennsylvania  and 
select  another  place  as  a  temporary  capital 
of  the  United  States.  It  was  hardly  to  be 
expected  that  Washington  with  his  small 
force  could  defeat  so  large  a  body  of  the 
enemy  and  on  September  14,  three  days 
after  the  battle,  John  Adams  wrote  from 
Philadelphia  to  his  wife  in  Massachusetts: 
"Howe's  army  is  at  Chester,  about  fifteen 
miles  from  this  town.  General  Washing- 
ton is  over  the  Schuylkill  awaiting  the  flank 
of  Howe's  army.  How  much  longer  Con- 
gress will  stay  is  uncertain.  If  we  should 
move,  it  will  be  to  Reading,  Lancaster, 
York,  Easton  or  Bethlehem,  some  town  in 
this  state.  Don't  be  anxious  about  me  nor 
about  our  great  and  sacred  cause.  It  is  the 
cause  of  truth  and  will  prevail." 

On  the  same  day  Congress  resolved  that 
if  obliged  to  remove  from  Philadelphia, 
Lancaster  should  be  the  place  of  meeting  , 
and  that  the  public  papers  be  put  in  the  V 
care  of  Abraham  Clark,  one  of  the  members 
from  New  Jersey,  who  was  "empowered  to 
procure  wagons  sufficient  for  conveying 
them  and  apply  to  General  John  Dickinson 


COXTIXHXTAL  COXGRESS  AT  YORK 


289 


or  any  other  officer  commanding  troops  in 
the  service  of  the  United  States  who  is 
hereb}^  directed  to  furnish  a  guard  to  con- 
duct the  said  papers  safely  to  Lancaster  " 

September  17,  Congress  resolved  that 
"notwithstanding  the  brave  exertions  of  the 
American  army,  the  city  of  Philadelphia 
may  possibly  by  the  fortune  of  war,  be  for  a 
time  possessed  by  the  enemy's  army  " 

It  further  resohed  to  grant  to  General 
\\'ashington.  commander-in-chief,  extraor- 
dinary powers  for  sixty  days  with  the  au- 
thority to  suspend  officers  of  the  army  for 
misbehavior,  fill  vacancies  below  the  rank 
of  brigadier  general,  and  take  provisions 
and  other  articles,  wherever  they  may  be 
found  for  the  maintenance  of  the  army.  He 
was  permitted  to  pay  for  these  provisions  or 
give  certificates  for  the  payment  of  them, 
and  a  pledge  of  the  public  credit  was  given 
for  the  future  settlement  of  such  certificates. 
Early  on  the  morning  of  Sep- 
Arrive  at  tember  19,  when  the  members 
Bethlehem,  of  Congress  were  in  bed,  they 
received  word  through  Alex- 
ander Hamilton,  then  a  colonel  on  the  stafif 
of  \\'ashington,  that  the  British  army  was 
in  possession  of  the  fords  over  the  Schuyl- 
kill. It  was  evident  that  the  enemy  would 
be  in  possession  of  Philadelphia  in  a  few 
hours.  At  this  time  there  were  about  thirty 
delegates  present  from  the  different  states. 
Having  adjourned  to  meet  at  Lancaster, 
this  body  of  patriots  to  a\oid  falling  into 
the  hands  of  the  enemy,  started  northward 
to  Bristol,  twenty  miles  north  of  Philadel- 
phia. The  official  papers  of  the  Board  of 
\\'a.v  and  the  Board  of  Treasury  had  been 
sent  to  Bristol  some  days  before.  They 
were  conveyed  to  Trenton,  to  Easton  and 
from  thence  to  Bethlehem.  The  delegates 
from  the  different  states  seem  to  have  pro- 
ceeded by  the  nearest  route  from  Bristol 
and  arrived  at  Bethlehem,  a  distance  of 
forty  miles,  September  22.  In  the  evening 
of  the  same  day  John  Adams  with  the  dele- 
gates arrived  from  Easton  with  the  official 
papers  guarded  by  fifty  troopers  and  fifty 
infantry. 

A  band  of  British  Highlanders  were  then 
imprisoned  at  Bethlehem.  They  were  or- 
dered to  Lancaster  and  from  thence  taken 
through  York,  to  Virginia.  Their  place  of 
imprisonment  at  Bethlehem  was  turned  into 
a  hospital   for   wounded   soldiers,   brought 


there  from  the  battle  of  Brandywine.  Gen- 
eral Lafayette,  who  was  also  wounded  at 
Brandywine,  was  taken  to  Bethlehem  where 
he  received  surgical  treatment.  On  Sep- 
tember 23,  many  of  the  delegates  attended 
the  children's  meeting  in  the  Moravian 
chapel.  After  the  services  John  Hancock 
took  up  the  service  book  used  by  the  Mo- 
ravian pastor.  Rev.  John  Ettwine,  and  with 
other  delegates,  examined  it.  The  pastor 
explained  its  use  and  read  that  portion  for 
the  day  containing  the  words  "^^'hoever  is 
not  for  us  is  against  us." 

The  members  of  Congress  while  at  Beth- 
lehem signed  an  official  paper  authorizing 
the  protection  of  the  property  of  the  Mora- 
vians. They  were  John  Hancock.  Samuel 
Adams,  Richard  Henry  Lee,  Benjamin  Har- 
rison, Henry  Laurens,  John  Adams,  James 
Duane.  Nathan  Brownson.  X'athaniel  Fol- 
som,  Richard  Law,  Eliphalet  Dyer,  Henry 
^larchant,  \\'illiam  Duer,  Cornelius  Har- 
nett, Joseph  Jones  and  William  Williams. 

The  liberty  bell  from  Independence  Hall 
in  Philadelphia,  which  rang  out  independ- 
ence after  the  Declaration  had  been  signed, 
was  brouglit  from  Philadelphia  to  Easton 
and  from  thence  to  Bethlehem.  Soon  after- 
ward this  bell,  now  so  famous  in  the  history 
of  our  country,  was  concealed  for  several 
months  in  a  Reformed  Church  at  Allen- 
town. 

In  accordance  with  the  rcsolu- 

One  Day    tion   of   Congress,   when    it    ad- 

at  journed  at  Philadelphia  to  meet 

Lancaster,  at  Lancaster,    the    members    at 

Bethlehem     proceeded    to    that 

borough   on    horseback,    arriving   there   on 

the  evening  of  Friday,  September  26.     At 

this  time  the  Pennsylvania  Legislature  had 

moved  to   Lancaster  remaining  in   session 

there  until  June  20  of  the  following  year. 

Upon  arriving  at  Lancaster,  Congress  as- 
sembled in  the  Court  House  then  situated 
in  Centre  Square  and  began  the  transaction 
of  business.  Several  important  letters 
were  read.  One  was  received  from  General 
Gates,  then  in  command  of  the  Northern 
army  near  Saratoga.  This  letter  dated 
September  15,  on  account  of  the  exciting 
condition  of  affairs  had  been  a  long  time 
on  the  way.  It  was  written  four  days  be- 
fore Gates  had  won  his  first  victory  at  Sar- 
atoga. A  letter  of  great  moment,  dated 
September  2^.  was  received  from   General 


19 


290 


HISTORY    UF    YORK   COUXTY,    PKXXSYLVAXIA 


Washington.  This  letter  -was  written  at 
Pottstown  whicli  was  then  his  headquarters 
and  stated  the  condition  of  his  army  after 
the  defeat  of  Brandywine,  and  the  need  of 
arms  and  supphes.  A  resolution  was  then 
passed  instructing  the  Board  of  War  "to 
cooperate  with  General  Washington  in  de- 
vising and  carrying  into  execution  effectual 
measures  for  supplying  the  army  with  fire- 
arms, shoes,  blankets,  stockings,  provisions 
and  other  necessaries."  The  condition  of 
atTairs  around  Pliiladelphia  at  this  period 
was  not  encouraging  to  the  Americans. 
Although  Washington  was  receiving  rein- 
forcements there  was  still  danger  that  he 
had  not  a  sut^cient  army  to  defeat  the 
enemy  in  a  conflict  which  seemed  inevi- 
table. Lancaster  was  only  sixty-eight  miles* 
from  Pliiladelphia  and  scouting  parties  of 
the  enemy  frequently  approachetl  the 
borders  of  the  county  in  which  Congress 
was  assembled.  The  Pennsylvania  Legis- 
lature, then  about  to  open  its  sessions  at 
Lancaster,  had  begun  to  grow  discouraged 
and  disheartened  by  reason  of  the  defeat  of 
our  army  at  Brandywine  and  the  capture  of 
Philadelphia  by  the  British.  Some  of  its 
members  were  inimical  to  the  cause  of  inde- 
pendence and  others  were  opposed  to 
W'ashington  as  the  head  of  the  army. 

At  the  close  of  one  day's  session  at  Lan- 
caster, held  on  Saturday,  September  27,  the 
following  resolution  was  adopted:  "Re- 
solved, That  the  Treasury  Board  direct  the 
treasurer,  with  all  his  papers,  forms,  etc.,  to 
repair  to  the  town  of  York,  in  Pennsyl- 
vania." Immediately  after  the  passage  of 
this  resolution,  a  motion  was  carried  to  ad- 
journ to  meet  at  Y'ork  on  the  following 
Tuesda_y  at  10  o'clock  A.  M. 

These     illustrious     patriots 

Cross  the         whose  acts  and  deeds  have 

Susquehanna,     added  lustre  to  the  pages  of 

American  history,  wended 
their  way  toward  the  Susquehanna  in  order 
that  the  Inroad  river  might  flow  between 
them  and  the  enemy  wdiile  they  transacted 
the  affairs  of  the  infant  government  at 
York  during  the  darkest  period  of  the 
Revolution.  They  crossed  the  river  on  flat 
boats  at  Wright's  Ferry  and  proceeded  to 
York.  They  rode  on  horseback,  except 
John  Hancock,  who  traveled  in  a  chaise, 
and  Joseph  Jones,  a  meml^er  from  Virginia, 
who  came  here  in  the  private    carriage    of 


General  Washington.  Tiie  following  let- 
ter, written  upon  his  arri\-al  liere,  to  the 
commander-in-chief,  tells  an  interesting 
story : 

York,  Pa.,  September  30,  1777. 
Uear  Sir:  I  have  your  phaeton  here,  though  I  was 
obliged  to  send  for  it  after  I  left  Philadelphia,  being 
put  to  route  the  night  I  received  your  letter.  The  bolt 
that  fastens  the  pole  part  of  the  long  reins  was  lost, 
some  brass  nails  also  gone  and  the  lining  much  dirtied 
and  in  some  places  torn.  I  will  have  these  little  matters 
repaired  and  the  carriage  and  harness  kept  clean  and  in 
as  good  order  as  I  can,  which  is  the  least  I  can  do  for 
the  use,  though  I  wovild  rather  buy  it,  if  you  are  not 
determined  against  selling  it  and  submit  the  price  to 
yourself  or  your  friend.  Colonel  Harrison,  who  may 
view  it  and  pay  the  cash  upon  demand  to  your  order. 
The  harness  I  observe  is  not  matched,  though  the 
difference  is  not  very  striking.  Whether  these  hap- 
pened at  Philadelphia  since  you  left  it  there  or  before, 
you  can  judge. 

When  Congress  assembled  September 
30,  1777,  in  the  Provincial  Court  House, 
which  stood  in  Centre  Square,  York,  from 
1755  to  1841,  it  beheld  the  chief  cities  of  the 
country  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy  and  the 
shattered  army  around  Philadelpliia  retreat- 
ing Ijefore  a  conquering  foe.  York  con- 
tained 286  houses  and  aJDOut  1,800  in- 
hal)itants.  There  were  within  the  town 
■a  dozen  or  more  puljlic  inns  or  taverns,  as 
they  were  then  called,  at  wdiich  some  of  the 
members  with  ditliculty  secured  lodging 
and  .entertainment.  A  retinue  of  attend- 
ants, including  the  troops  of  cavalry  and  a 
company  of  infantry  which  had  guarded  the 
transmission  of  the  government  papers, 
also  fotmd  accommodations  at  public  and 
private  houses  as  liest  they  could.  The 
members  or  delegates  to  Congress  had 
been  elected  by  their  respective  states  for 
one  year  and  recei\-ed  such  compensation 
as  the  state  legislatures  provided.  The 
amounts  varied  from  three  to  eight  dollars 
a  day  in  Continental  money,  then  wortii 
about  thirty  cents  on  the  dollar.  The 
Board  of  Treasury,  presided  over  Ijv  El- 
bridge  Gerry,  of  Massachusetts,  took  up  its 
quarters  in  the  residence  of  Archibald  ^Ic- 
Clean,  at  the  northeast  corner  of  George 
Street  and  Centre  Square.  It  was  in  this 
building  that  Michael  Hillegas,  treasurer, 
of  the  United  States,  distributed  during  the 
succeeding  nine  months,  in  accordance  with 
the  resolutions  of  Congress,  the  deposits  of 
the  government  treasury.  The  Board  of 
War.  presided  o\er  by  John  Adams,  of 
Massachusetts,  held  its  meetings  in  the  law 
olfice      of      Tames      Smith,      adjoining      his 


JOHN  HANCOCK 

President  of  Continental  Congress  when  it  assembled  in 
York,  September  30,  1777 


COXTIXKXTAL  COXCRESS  AT  YORK 


?9i 


residence  on  the  west  side  of  Soutli  Geors^e 
Street,  near  Centre  Square.  Different  com- 
mittees met  in  the  building  at  the  south- 
west angle  of  Centre  Square.  The  mem- 
bers of  Congress  paid  their  own  expenses 
while  here,  except  John  Hancock,  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, the  president,  who  occupied  the 
house  of  Colonel  Michael  Swope,  on  the 
south  side  of  West  Market  Street  near 
Centre  Square,  and  his  current  expenses 
were  paid  b)-  autliority  of  tlie  government 
out  of  the  national  treasury. 

Daniel  Roberdeau,  of  Philadelphia,  who. 
as  a  brigadier-general  in  the  army,  had 
captured  from  the  British  a  prize  of  $22,000 
in  siher  and  turned  it  over  to  the  use  of 
Congress,  rented  a  house  on  South  George 
Street.  Several  of  the  members,  including 
John  Adams,  Elbridge  Gerry,  Samuel 
Adams,  Benjamin  Harrison,  and  Richard 
Henry  Lee,  lodged  in  his  house.  Other 
members  stopped  at  private  houses  and  at 
parsonages  occupied  by  different  clergy- 
men of  the  town. 

Congress  held  a  iM^ief  session  on 
Opening  September  30  and  then  ad- 
Session  journed  until  the  following 
at  York,  morning  at  10  o'clock.  The 
controlling  power  of  the  nation 
was  vested  in  one  body,  and  during  the 
whole  period  of  the  war,  until  1789,  trans- 
acted the  business  of  the  government  with 
closed  doors.  Xone  but  members  and  a 
few  government  officials  were  permitted  to 
attend  the  sessions.  Congress,  however,  at 
this  time,  could  only  recommend  to  the 
states  what  should  be  done.  It  had  no 
power  to  lay  a  tax  upon  the  different  states 
or  to  order  that  soldiers  should  be  drafted 
into  the  army.  At  this  time  the  new  re- 
public was  composed  of  thirteen  indepen- 
dent states.  The  Declaration  of  Indepen- 
dence, passed  the  year  before,  had  not 
created  a  perfect  union  and  our  fathers  had 
not  yet  "brought  forth  on  this  continent  a 
new  nation.'"  The  .\rticles  of  Confedera- 
tion, which  had  lieen  discussed  for  se\'eral 
months  at  Independence  Hall,  in  Philadel- 
phia, were  now  taken  up  for  final  passage. 
It  is  interesting  to  state  here 
Where  that  the  court  house  then  used 
Congress     as    the    Capitol    of    the    United 

Met.         States,  had  been  built   of  brick 

twcntv-two     \ears     !)efore.       It 

was   55   feet   long  and  45   feet   wide.      The 


main  entrance,  through  double  doors,  led 
from  South  George  Street.  The  judge's 
desk,  at  which  the  President  sat,  was  at  the 
western  end  of  the  building.  Back  of  this, 
on  a  small  pedestal,  perched  a  plain  image 
representing  a  statue  blindfolded  holding 
the  scales  of  justice.  Tw'o  rows  of  seats 
for  jurors  extended  along  the  walls  to  the 
left  and  right  of  the  judge's  desk.  Several 
taJjles  and  desks  rested  on  the  floor  within 
the  bar.  immediately  l)ehind  which  stood  a 
large  ten-plate  wood  stove  with  an  eight- 
inch  pipe  extending  upward  and  then  back 
to  the  east  wall.  The  rows  of  seats  to  the 
rear  of  the  Ijar  inclined  upward  to  the  east- 
ern end  of  the  building.  .At  the  rear  of  the 
court  room  was  a  small  gallery  reached  by 
winding  stairs.  There  were  six  windows 
on  each  of  the  sides  facing  north  and  south 
George  Street,  and  four  windows  each  at 
the  east  and  w^est  ends  of  the  building. 
Every  window  contained  two  sashes  and 
every  sash  18  small  panes  of  glass.  The 
second  story  of  the  Court  House  w'as  used 
for  public  meetings,  entertainments  and  at 
times  for  school  purposes.  In  the  original 
Court  House  there  were  only  two  gable 
ends,  one  facing  east  and  the  other  west 
Market  Street.  The  gables  facing  north  and 
south  George  Street  were  placed  there  when 
the  Court  House  was  remodeled  in  181 5. 

-V  bell  had  been  obtained  for  St. 

An  John's      Episcopal      Church,     on 

Historic     Xorth     Beaver     Street,     a     few 

Bell.  years  before.  There  was  no  bel- 
fry on  this  church  and  no  suitable 
place  to  hang  the  bell,  so  it  was  hung  on  a 
pole  in  Centre  Square  and  there  rung  for 
religious  services  and  for  town  meetings. 
When  the  news  of  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence was  officially  brought  to  York. 
James  Smith  and  Archibald  McClean 
ordered  that  this  bell  be  put  in  the  cupola 
of  the  Court  House.  In  response  to  notifi- 
cation this  historic  bell  was  rung  loud  and 
long  for  lil)erty  and  independence.  After 
the  Revolution  this  bell  was  removed  to  the 
cupola  of  St.  John's  Episcopal  Church  of 
York,  where  it  has  since  been  used.  A  vast 
crowd  of  ]5eople  had  assembled  in  Centre 
Square  and  the  Declaration  of  Indepen- 
dence was  read  amidst  great  applause. 

On  Tuesday  evening,  Septem- 
Hancock's     ber  30.  John  Hancock  wrote  to 

Letter.      .General    Washington: 


-92 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY.   PEXXSYLVAXIA 


York.  Pa.,  30  September,  1777. 

Sir: — Since  my  departure  from  Philadelphia,  I  have 
to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  favors.  Congress 
met  on  Saturday  last  at  Lancaster  and  upon  consulta- 
tion it  was  judged  most  prudent  to  adjourn  to  this  place, 
where  we  now  are  and  where  we  can  prosecute  business 
without  interruption  and  where  your  despatches  w'ill 
meet  us. 

I  have  just  now  received  by  General  Gates'  aide-de- 
camp. Major  Troup,  sundry  letters,  copies  of  which  I 
have  the  honor  to  enclose  to  you,  by  which  it  appears 
that  our  affairs  in  the  northern  department  wear  a 
favorable  aspect  and  I  hope  soon  to  transmit  you  an 
account  of  an  issue  to  the  contest  in  that  quarter. 

I  w'ish  soon  to  receive  the  most  pleasing  accounts 
from  you.  We  are  in  daily  expectation  of  agreeable 
tidings  and  that  General  Howe  is  totally  reduced. 

I  beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  enclosed  papers ;  and  am 
with  the  utmost  respect  and  esteem,  sir, 

Your  most  obedient  and  verv  humble  servant, 
JOHN  HANCOCK, 

President. 

Including    President    Hancock, 

Delegates     there  were  25  delegates  present 

to  on  October  3,  when  they  voted 

Congress,     on    the    resolution    to    refer    to 

General  \\'ashington  the  deci- 
sion of  priority  of  rank  in  the  army  between 
Baron  de  Kalb  and  General  Thomas  Con- 
way.  Their  names  and  the  states  they 
represented  are  recorded  in  the  journals  of 
Congress  as  follows:  Nathaniel  Folsom, 
New  Hampshire;  Samuel  Adams,  John 
Adams,  Elbridge  Gerry  and  James  Lovell, 
^Massachusetts :  Henry  Marchant,  Rhode 
Island;  Eliphalet  Dyer.  William  Williams, 
Richard  Law.  Connecticut;  James  Duane, 
A\'illiam  Duer,  New  York;  Daniel  Rober- 
deau,  Pennsylvania;  Charles  Carroll,  Sam- 
uel Chase,  ISIaryland;  Benjamin  Harrison, 
Joseph  Jones,  Richard  Henry  Lee,  Francis 
Lightfoot  Lee.  Virginia;  John  Penn,  Cor- 
nelius Harnett,  North  Carolina;  Arthur 
Aliddleton,  Thomas  Heyward,  Henry 
Laurens.  South  Carolina;  and  Nathan 
Brownson,  Georgia.  Only  11  states  voted. 
New  Jersey  and  Delaware  were  not  repre- 
•■^ented  at  this  time.  According  to  custom, 
the  votes  were  cast  by  states.  New  dele- 
gates arrived  at  different  times  during  the 
succeeding  nine  months.  In  all  there  were 
67  attending  the  sessions  at  York.  There 
does  not  seem  to  have  been  more  than  35 
present  at  one  time. 

October  4,  Captain  Weaver  was  voted 
S2.000  for  the  purpose  of  defraying  the  ex- 
penses of  taking  a  band  of  British  prisoners 
froin  Lancaster  through  York  to  Virginia. 
Colonel  Richard  ^IcAllister.  of  Hanover, 
lieutenant   for  "S'ork  Conntv.    wiis    ordered 


by  Thomas  Wharton,  President  of  the 
Legislature  at  Lancaster,  to  provide  thirty 
men  from  York  County  to  act  as  a  guard 
for  these  prisoners  on  their  march  south- 
ward. 

The  commissary-general  of  purchases 
was  instructed  to  employ  some  one  to  take 
charge  of  all  the  wheat  in  the  several  mills 
near  York  for  the  United  States.  Washing- 
ton was  ordered  to  make  provisions  for 
quartering  the  troops  during  the  coming- 
winter.  News  of  the  defeat  of  the  British 
at  Bennington  by  General  Stark  was  re- 
ceived and  that  officer  was  tendered  a  vote 
of  thanks.  A  letter  was  ordered  to  be  writ- 
ten to  General  Gates  informing  him  "that 
Congress  highlj'  approved  of  the  prowess 
and  behavior  of  the  troops  under  his  com- 
mand in  their  late  gallant  repulse  of  the 
enemy  under  General  Burgoyne  at  Sara- 
toga." Two  companies  were  raised  to 
guard  the  government  stores  at  Carlisle. 
The  commissary-general  was  given  the 
power  to  seize  and  press  into  service 
■  wagons,  shallops  and  a  store  house,  within 
seventy  miles  of  Washington's  headquar- 
ters. George  Eichelberger,  who  had  been 
appointed  deputy  quartermaster  at  York, 
was  voted  $2,500  for  the  use  of  his  depart- 
ment. He  was  directed  to  provide  mem- 
bers of  Congress  with  the  articles  needed 
for  themselves,  their  servants  and  their 
horses  at  cost.  The  different  state  legis- 
latures were  recommended  to  pass  laws  to 
punish  by  death  without  the  benefit  of 
clergy,  any  person  or  persons  found  guilty 
of  burning  or  destroying  government 
magazines  or  stores. 

The    British    entered    Phila- 

Medal  for        delphia,    September  26,    and 

Washington,     soon  after  proceeded  to  the 

village  of  Germantown,  six 
miles  north  of  the  city.  AVashington 
attacked  them  on  October  4  at  daybreak, 
hoping  to  push  their  army  against  the 
Schuylkill  River  and  destroy  it.  The  dar- 
ing scheme  almost  succeeded,  but  victory 
was  turned  into  defeat  by  a  sudden  panic 
among  the  Americans  caused  by  an  acci- 
dent. It  was  a  foggy  morning  and  one 
American  battalion  fired  into  another  by 
mistake.  The  news  of  the  defeat  at  Ger- 
mantown Avas  brought  to  Congress  by  a 
despatch  bearer.  Although  the  report  of 
the  defeat  was  not  encouraging,  on  October 


COXTIXKXTAL  CONT.RES?   AT   Vol 


293 


8  it  was  resolved  "That  the  thanks  of 
Congress  be  given  to  General  Washington 
for  his  wise  and  well  concerted  attack  upon 
the  enemy's  army  near  Germantown  and 
to  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  army  for 
the  brave  exertions  on  that  occasion; 
Congress  being  well  satisfied  that  the  best 
designs  and  boldest  efforts  sometimes  fail 
by  unforeseen  incidents,  trusting  that  on 
future  occasions,  the  valor  and  virtue  of  the 
army  will,  bv^  the  blessing  of  heaven,  be 
crowned  with  complete  and  deserved  suc- 
cess." Congress  then  ordered  that  a  medal 
of  honor  be  presented  to  the  commander- 
in-chief. 

The     second    day's     session   of 
Chaplains     Continental  Congress    at    York 
White        opened  \\'ednesday,  October  i. 
and  Rev.    Jacob    Duche,    who    had 

Duffield.  served  as  chaplain,  became  a 
loyalist  ayd  remained  in  Phila- 
delphia. Rev.  William  White,  rector  of  the 
United  Parishes  of  Christ's,  St.  Peter's  and 
St.  James'  Episcopal  Churches  of  Philadel- 
phia, was  elected  chaplain.  He  spent  part 
of  the  succeedhig  winter  in  York,  occupy- 
ing rooms  at  the  residence,  on  North 
George  Street,  of  Rev.  John  Nicholas 
Kurtz,  pastor  of  Christ  Lutheran  Church. 
At  this  time  he  was  29  3'ears  of  age.  In 
1786  he  became  the  first  bishop  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. Rev.  George  Duffield,  a  native  of 
Lancaster  County,  and  pastor  of  the  Third 
Presbyterian  Church,  of  Philadelphia,  was 
elected  associate  chaplain.  He  was  then  45 
years  old  and  one  of  the  first  clergymen  in 
America  to  advocate  the  cause  of  inde- 
pendence. Before  coming  here  he  had 
served  as  chaplain  in  the  army  and  for  his 
intense  loyalty  to  the  patriotic  cause,  the 
British  government  otTered  a  prize  for  his 
capture.  While  in  A^ork  he  w-as  the  guest 
of  Rev.  Daniel  Wagner,  pastor  of  Zion 
Reformed  Church,  who  resided  at  the  par- 
sonage on  the  north  side  of  East  King  near 
George  Street.  Early  in  life  Duffield  had 
been  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  churclies 
at  Dillsburg  and  Carlisle. 

B\-  resolution  Congress  now  decided  that 
the  morning  session  should  begin  at  10  .\. 
yi.  and  adjourn  at  i  P.  AL  The  afternoon 
session  began  at  4  o'clock  and  continued 
usually  until  10  o'clock  at  night.  The  dis- 
cussions on  the  momentous  f|uestions  con- 
sidered by  this  body  were  often  carried  on 


in  the  form  of  conversations.  Efforts  at 
oratory  were  rarely  attempted.  On  one  or 
two  occasions,  Samuel  Adams  made  patri- 
otic speeches  like  those  he  had  delivered  in 
Faneuil  Hail.  Boston,  before  the  opening  of 
the  war.  The  flute-like  tones  of  Richard 
Henry  Lee  always  interested  his  hearers 
and  commanded  the  closest  attention.  Pat- 
rick Henry  was  governor  of  Virginia  and 
Thomas  Jefiferson,  a  member  of  the  legis- 
lature in  session  at  Richmond.  Benjamin 
Franklin,  still  a  member  from  Pennsyl- 
vania, was  United  States  commissioner  in 
Paris,  endeavoring  to  secure  the  recogni- 
tion of  his  government  1:)y  King  Louis  XI\ 
of  France. 

Of  the  delegates  to  Continental  Congress 
during  the  entire  period  of  the  Revolution, 
none  were  more  zealous  in  legislating  for  , 
the.  prosecution  of  the  war  than  Samuel 
Adams,  of  Massachusetts.  He  was  a  man 
of  lofty  patriotism  and  unbounded  energy. 
The  English  government  blamed  John 
Hancock  and  Samuel  Adams  more  than  any 
others  for  the  origin  of  the  war,  and  a  re- 
ward of  $25,000  was  offered  for  the  capture 
of  either  of  them.  Both  Hancock  and 
Adams,  if  ever  captured,  were  to  be  denied 
pardon  for  their  alleged  treason  to  the 
mother  country.  With  .Vdams  as  the  leader 
of  Congress  while  in  York,  the  struggle  for 
liberty  was  simply  a  matter  of  life  and 
death.  Success  in  establishing  freedom 
would  send  him  down  to  posterity,  honored  ^^m 
by  all  future  generations:  failure  pointed  u^^^^ 
the  prison  cell  and  the  ignomiu)'  of  a  rebel 
doomed  to  the  scaffold.  Everything  seemed 
dark  and  gloomy  during  the  early  days  of 
October,  1777,  and  some  of  the  members 
of  Congress  were  ready  to  give  up  the 
struggle  in  despair  and  accept  the  over- 
tures of  peace  offered  by  the  British  gov- 
ernment. .\bout  this  time  John  Adams 
made  the  following  entry  in  his  diary: 

"The    prospect    is    chilling    on 

Adams'       every  side,  gloomy,  dark,  mel- 

Soliloquy.     ancholy  and  dispiriting.     When 

and  where  will  light  come 
from?  Shall  we  have  good  news  from 
Europe?  Shall  we  hear  of  a  blow  struck 
by  Gates  against  Burgoyne?  Is  there  a 
possibility  tliat  Washington  may  yet  defeat 
Howe?  Is  there  a  possibility  tliat  Mc- 
Dougall  and  Dickinson  shall  destroy  tlic 
British    detachment    in    New     Jersey?      If 


294 


HISTORY    OF   YORK    COUNTY.    PEXXSYLVAXIA 


Pliiladelphia  is  lost,  is  the  cause  of  inde- 
pendence lost?"  Then  he  continues:  "Xo, 
the  cause  is  not  lost.  Heaven  grant  us  one 
great  soul.  One  leading  mind  would  extri- 
cate the  best  cause  from  the  ruin  that 
seems  to  await  it.  \\'e  have  as  good  a  cause 
as  ever  was  fought  for.  One  active,  mas- 
terly capacity  would  bring  order  out  of  this 
confusion  and  save  our  country." 

The  affairs  of  the  new  born  nation  for  a 
time  were  controlled  by  a  few  men,  who 
met  regularly  in  a  caucus  at  the  home  of 
(icneral  Roberdeau,  of  Pennsylvania,  who 
li\ed  in  a  rented  house  nearly  opposite 
Christ  Lutheran  Church,  on  South  George 
Street.  Many  of  the  leaders' in  Congress, 
including  Henry  Laurens,  Benjamin  Harri- 
son, Dr.  ^\'itherspoon,  Richard  Henry  Lee, 
Elbridge  Gerry  and  John  and  Samuel 
Adams,  lodged  in  tliis  house.  It  was  here 
on  one  October  night  of  1/77,  that  Samuel 
Adams  called  a  caucus.  After  obtaining 
the  views  of  the  different  members,  some  of 
whom  were  very  despondent,  Samuel 
Adams  rose  and  delivered  one  of  the  most 
eloquent  speeches  in  American  history,  as 
follows : 

■'Gentlemen :  Your  spirits  seem 
Samuel  oppressed  with  the  weight  of 
Adams'  public  calamities,  and  your  sad- 
Speech,     ness  of  countenance  reveals  your 

disquietude.  A  patriot  may  grieve 
at  the  disasters  of  his  country,  but  he  will 
never  despair  of  tlie  commonwealth.  Our 
.aiTairs  are  said  to  be  desperate,  but  we  are 
not  without  hope  and  not  without  courage. 
The  eyes  of  the  people  of  this  country  are 
upon  us  here,  and  the  tone  of  their  feeling 
is  regulated  by  ours.  If  we  as  delegates  in 
Congress  give  up  in  despair,  and  grow 
desperate,  public  confidence  will  be  de- 
stroyed and  American  lijjerty  will  be  no 
more. 

"But  we  are  not  driven  to  such  straits. 
Though  fortune  has  been  unpropitious,  our 
conditions  are  not  desperate ;  our  burdens 
though  grievous,  can  still  be  borne:  our 
losses,  though  great,  can  be  retrieved. 
Through  the  darkness  that  shrouds  our 
prosperity,  the  ark  of  safety  is  visible. 
Despondency,  gentlemen,  becomes  not  the 
dignity  of  our  cause,  nor  the  character  of 
the  nation's  representatives  in  Congress. 
Let  us  then  be  aroused  and  evince  a  spirit 
of  patriotism  that   shall  inspire  the  people 


with  conlidence  in  us,  in  themseh'es  and  in 
the  cause  of  our  country.  Let  us  show  a 
spirit  that  will  induce  us  to  persevere  in  this 
struggle,  until  our  rights  shall  be  estab- 
lished and  our  liberty  secured. 

"W'e  have  proclaimed  to  the  worUl  our 
determination  to  die  free  men,  rather  than 
live  slaves;  we  have  appealed  to  hea\-en  for 
the  justice  of  our  cause  and  in  the  God  of 
l)attles  have  we  placed  our  trust.  AYe  have 
looked  to  Providence  for  help  and  protec- 
tion in  the  past;  we  must  appeal  to  the 
same  source  in  the  future,  for  the  Almighty 
Powers  from  above  will  sustain  us  in  this 
struggle  for  independence. 

"There  ha^-e  been  times  since  the  open- 
ing of  this  war  when  we  were  reduced 
almost  to  distress,  but  the  great  arm  of 
Omnipotence  has  raised  us  up.  Let  us  still 
rely  for  assistance  upon  Him  who  is 
mighty  to  save.  AA'e  shall  not  be  abandoned 
by  the  Powers  above  so  long  as  we  act 
worthy  of  aid  and  protection.  The  darkest 
hour  is  just  before  the  dawn.  Good  news 
may  soon  reach  us  from  the  army  and  from 
across  the  sea." 

The  patriotic  fervor  of  the  speaker  on  this 
occasion,  thrilled  the  small  audience  and 
gave  them  renewed  energy  in  the  passage 
of  legislation  to  aid  in  carrying  on  the  war. 
John  Hancock,  of  Massachu- 
Hancock's  setts,  who  had  served  as 
Resignation,  president  of  Congress  from 
^lay,  1775,  expressed  a  de- 
sire to  retire  and  visit  his  home  in  Boston. 
He  was  now  forty  years  of  age.  After  the 
Boston  Massacre.  March  5,  1770,  he  was 
the  head  of  the  committee  which  asked  for 
the  removal  of  the  British  troops  and  at  the 
funeral  of  the  slain,  he  delivered  an  address 
so  glowing  and  fearless  in  its  reprobation 
of  the  conduct  of  the  soldiery  and  their 
leaders  as  to  greatly  offend  the  governor. 
Hancock  was  president  of  Congress  when 
the  Declaration  of  Independence  was 
passed,  and  the  first  to  append  his  name  to 
that  immortal  document.  In  his  youth  he 
had  inherited  a  large  fortune  from  an  uncle 
and  at  the  opening  of  the  Revolution  was 
the  most  extensive  shipping  merchant  at 
Boston.  His  fortune  was  estimated  at  half 
a  million  dollars,  he  being  probably  the 
wealthiest  man  in  the  L'nited  States.  On 
account  of  his  ardent  patriotism  he  became 
a  leader  in    the    cause    of    American    inde- 


COX'I'IXEX'I'A!.  COXCRESS   AT   YORK 


295 


pencleiice.  October  25,  1777,  a  committee 
of  Congress  reported  that  his  accounts  had 
been  audited  and  there  was  yet  due  him 
$1,392,  which  was  ordered  to  be  paid.  As  a 
presiding  officer  he  was  dignified,  impartial, 
quick  of  apprehension  and  commanded  the 
respect  of  Congress.  lAit  was  not  popular 
with  all  his  associates.  Later  in  life  he  em- 
ployed his  large  fortune  for  useful  and 
benevolent  purposes  and  was  a  liberal 
donor  to  Harvard  College.  While  presi- 
dent of  Congress  at  York,  he  incurred  the 
displeasure  of  some  of  the  leading  members, 
including  Samuel  Adams,  who  was  of  an 
impetuous  nature.  Going  out  of  the  Court 
House  one  day,  Benjamin  Harrison,  of  Vir- 
ginia, suggested  to  Adams  that  he  should 
forgive  John  Hancock  for  his  vanity. 
Adams,  in  a  fit  of  rage,  quickly  responded 
"Yes,  Harrison,  I  can  forgive  him  and  I 
can  forget  him."  After  the  war,  however, 
they  became  firm  friends  and  it  is  an  inter- 
esting fact  of  history  that  Samuel  Adams 
succeeded  in  persuading  John  Hancock  to 
support  the  ratification  of  the  constitution 
of  the  United  States,  to  which  he  was 
originally  opposed.  When  Hancock  re- 
tired from  Congress  at  York,  he  delivered 
the  following  address: 

"Gentlemen:    Friday  last  com- 
The  pleted     two     years     and     five 

President's  months  since  you  did  me  the 
Speech.  honor  of  electing  me  to  fill  this 
chair.  As  I  could  neither 
flatter  myself  your  choice  proceeded  from 
any  idea  of  my  abilities,  but  rather  from  a 
partial  opinion  of  my  attachment  to  the 
lil^erties  of  America.  I  felt  myself  under  the 
strongest  obligations  to  discharge  the  du- 
ties of  the  office,  and  I  accepted  the  appoint- 
ment with  the  firmest  resolution  to  go 
through  the  business  annexed  to  it  in  the 
best  manner  I  was  able.  Every  argument 
inspired  me  to  exert  myself,  and  I  endeav- 
ored, by  industry  and  attention,  to  make  up 
for  every  other  deficiency. 

"As  to  my  conduct,  both  in  and  out  of 
Congress,  in  the  execution  of  your  business, 
it  is  improper  for  me  to  say  anything.  You 
are  the  best  judges.  But  I  think  I  shall  be 
forgiven  if  I  say  I  have  spared  no  pains, 
expense  or  labor,  to  gratify  your  wishes, 
and  to  accomplish  the  views  of  Congress. 

"Wy  health  being  much  impaired.  I  find 
some  relaxation  absolutely  necessary,  after 


such  constant  application:  I  must  therefore 
request  your  indulgence  for  leave  of  absence 
for  two  months. 

"But  I  cannot  take  my  departure,  gentle- 
men, without  expressing  my  thanks  for  the 
civility  and  politeness  I  have  experienced 
from  you.  It  is  impossible  to  mention  this 
without  a  heartfelt  pleasure. 

"If  in  the  course  of  so  long  a  period  as  I 
have* had  the  honor  to  fill  this  chair,  any 
expressions  may  have  dropped  from  me  that 
may  have  given  the  least  oft'ence  to  any 
member,  as  it  was  not  intentional,  so  I  hope 
his  candor  will  pass  it  over. 

"May  every  happiness,  gentlemen,  attend 
you,  both  as  members  of  this  house  and  as 
individuals :  and  I  pray  heaven  that 
unanimity  and  perseverance  may  go  hand  in 
hand  in  this  house ;  and  that  everything 
which  may  tend  to  distract  or  divide  your 
councils  be  forever  banished." 

Having  retired  from  his  high  position  as 
President  of  Congress,  John  Hancock 
started  for  his  home  at  Boston.  He  passed 
through  Reading  and  reached  .Bethlehem 
on  the  evening  of  November  2,  stopping 
over  night  in  that  borough  at  the  Sun  Inn, 
a  large  stone  building  still  in  existence.  An 
entry  in  a  local  diary  of  that  date  reads: 
"John  Hancock  passed  through  on  his  way 
from  York  to  Boston.  He  was  escorted 
hence  b}-  a  troop  of  fifteen  horsemen,  who 
had  awaited  his  arrival.  From  him  we 
learned  that  our  friend.  Henry  Laurens, 
had  been  chosen  President  of  Congress." 
As  New  York  was  in  the  hands  of  the 
British,  he  crossed  the  Hudson  at  Fislikill. 
At  this  point  he  was  met  by  William  Ellcry, 
who  had  been  elected  a  delegate  to  Con- 
gress from  Rhode  Island.  The  latter, 
describing  this  meeting,  records  in  his 
diary :  "On  our  way  to  the  Fishkill  we  met 
President  John  Hancock  in  a  sulky,  es- 
corted by  one  of  his  secretaries  and  two  or 
three  other  gentlemen,  and  one  light  horse- 
man, returning  from  Congress  at  Y^'ork- 
town.  This  escort  surprised  us.  as  it 
seemed  inadequate  to  the  purpose  either  of 
defence  or  parade.  But  our  surprise  was 
not  of  long  continuance;  for  we  had  not 
ridden  far  before  we  met. six  or  eight  light 
horsemen  on  the  canter,  and  just  as  we 
reached  the  ferry  a  boat  arrived  with  many 
more,  all  making  up  the  escort  of  President 
Hancock."     Hancock,  being  re-elected,  re- 


296 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANL\ 


turned  to  Congress  as  a  member  in  ]\Iav, 
1778. 

LAURENS  CHOSEN  PRESIDENT. 

Henry  Laurens,  who  succeeded  Hancock 
as  president  of  Congress,  was  born  in 
Charleston,  South  Carolina,  in  1724.  He 
had  acquired  a  fortune  in  mercantile  pur- 
suits in  his  native  city,  and  at  the  time  he 
was  chosen  president,  was  53  years  of  age. 
He  visited  London  in  1774,  and  while  in 
that  city  was  one  of  thirty-eight  Americans 
who  signed  a  petition  to  dissuade  Parlia- 
ment from  passing  the  Boston  port  bill. 
He  returned  to  Charleston,  and  was  chosen 
as  member  of  the  first  Provincial  Confer- 
ence of  South  Carolina.  In  1776,  he  was 
elected  a  delegate  to  Continental  Congress. 
Being  a  man  of  experience  in  public  and 
private  affairs,  he  became  a  leader  of  Con- 
gress soon  after  he  took  a  seat  in  that  body. 
AMien  John  Hancock  determined  to  resign, 
Laurens  was  unanimously  elected  his  suc- 
cessor, November  i,  and  presided  over 
Congress  during  the  remainder  of  its  ses- 
sions at  York  and  until  December  10,  1778. 
In  1779,  he  was  appointed  minister  to  Hol- 
land to  negotiate  a  treaty  that  had  been  un- 
officially proposed  to  William  Lee  by  Van 
Berckel,  pensionary  of  .Amsterdam.  He 
sailed  on  the  packet  "Mercury,"  which  was 
captured  by  the  British  frigate  "Vestal,"  of 
twenty-eight  guns,  off  Newfoundland.  Mr. 
Laurens  threw  his  papers  overboard;  but 
they  were  reco\'ered,  and  gave  evidence  of 
his  mission.  The  refusal  of  Holland  to 
punish  Van  Berckel,  at  the  dictation  of 
Lord  North's  ministry,  was  instantly  fol- 
lowed by  war  between  Great  Britain  and 
that  country.  Mr.  Laurens  was  taken  to 
London,  examined  before  the  Privy  council, 
and  imprisoned  in  the  Tower,  on  October  6, 
1780,  on  "suspicion  of  high  treason,"  for 
nearly  fifteen  months,  during  which  his 
health  was  greatly  impaired.  He  was  ill 
when  he  entered,  but  no  medical  attention 
was  provided,  and  it  was  more  than  a  year 
before  he  was  granted  pen  and  ink  to  draw 
a  bill  of  exchange  to  provide  for  himself. 
But  he  obtained  a  pencil,  and  frequent 
communications  were  carried  by  a  trusty 
person  to  the  outside  world,  and  he 
even  corresponded  with  American  news- 
papers. 

^^'hen  his  son  John  appeared  in  Paris,  in 


1781,  to  negotiate  a  loan  with  France,  Mr. 
Laurens  was  informed  that  his  confinement 
would  be  the  more  rigorous  because  the 
3'oung  man  had  openly  declared  himself  an 
enemy  to  the  king  and  his  country.  It  was 
suggested  that  if  Mr.  Laurens  would  advise 
his  son  to  withdraw  from  his  commission, 
such  action  would  be  received  with  favor  at 
the  British  court;  but  he  replied  that  his 
son  was  a  man  who  would  never  sacrifice 
honor,  even  to  save  his  father's  life.  Laur- 
ens received  attention  from  many  friends, 
among  whom  was  Edmund  Burke.  Twice 
he  refused  oft'ers  of  pardon  if  he  would 
serve  the  British  ministry.  While  a  pris- 
oner he  learned  of  his  son  John's  death  in  a 
skirmish  in  South  Carolina,  and  on  Decem- 
ber I,  1781,  he  addressed  a  petition  to  the 
House  of  Commons,  in  which  he  said  that 
he  had  striven  to  prevent  a  rupture  between 
the  crown  and  colonies,  and  asked  for  more 
liberty.  He  was  soon  afterward  exchanged 
for  Lord  Cornwallis  and  commissioned  by 
Congress  one  of  the  ministers  to  negotiate 
peace.  He  then  went  to  Paris,  where,  with 
John  Jay  and  Benjamin  Franklin,  he  signed 
the  preliminaries  of  the  treaty,  November 
30,  17S2,  and  was  instrumental  in  the  inser- 
tion of  a  clause  prohibiting,  on  the  British 
evacuation,  the  "carrying  away  any  negroes 
or  other  property  of  the  inhabitants."  On 
his  return  to  Charleston  he  was  welcomed 
with  enthusiasm  and  offered  many  offices, 
which  his  impaired  health  forced  him  to 
decline.  He  retired  to  his  plantation  near 
Charleston  and  devoted  his  life  to  agricul- 
ture.    He  died  December  8,  1792. 

Although   Washington  had  been 

Gates'       defeated     at     Brandywine      and 

Victory.     Germantown,  he  gave   Howe  so 

much  trouble  that  the  latter 
could  not  send  reinforcements  to  Burgoyne 
at  Saratoga.  A  force  of  3,000  fresh  troops 
from  England  had  been  sent  up  the  Hudson 
from  New  York  on  the  day  the  battle  at 
Germantown  was  fought.  They  arrived  too 
late  to  save  Burgoyne's  army  from  disaster. 
He  had  crossed  the  Hudson  on  September 
13  and  six  days  later  Benedict  Arnold  at- 
tacked him  at  Bemis  Heights  and  a  des- 
perate but  indecisive  battle  was  fought 
there. 

The  news  of  this  engagement  was  re- 
ceived by  Congress  September  30,  the  day 
the  first  session  was  held  at  York.     It  was 


HENRY  LAURENS 

Who  succeeded  John  Hancock   as  President  of  Continental 
Congress,  while  in  session  at  York 


COX'JIXEXTAL  COXGRESS  AT    YORK 


297 


brought  by  Colonel  Robert  Troup,  an  aide 
on  the  staff  of  General  Gates,  commander 
of  the  Northern  Army.  The  letter  con- 
veyed by  Colonel  Troup  from  Gates  to  John 
Hancock,  President  of  Congress,  stated  the 
engagement  began  with  a  brisk  skirmish 
early  in  the  morning.  This  drew  on  the 
main  body  of  the  enemy  to  support  the 
skirmishers.  The  action  was  continued 
until  the  close  of  the  day,  when  both 
armies  retired,  with  the  advantage  in  favor 
of  the  Americans.  General  Gates  said  in 
his  report  to  Congress  at  York,  "The  good 
behavior  of  the  troops  on  this  important  oc- 
casion, cannot  be  surpassed  by  the  most 
veteran  army.  To  discriminate  in  praise  of 
the  officers  would  be  an  injustice,  as  they 
all  deserve  the  honor  and  applause  of  Con- 
gress. The  armies  now  remain  encamped 
within  two  miles  of  each  other.  Today  I 
W"rote  to  all  the  neighboring  states  and 
pressingly  demanded  the  immediate  march 
of  their  militia.  When  proper  reinforce- 
ments arrive,  I  hope  to  give  your  Excel- 
lency more  interesting  intelligence." 

On  October  7,  Burgoyne 
Burgoyne's  risked  another  battle  and  was 
Surrender.  totally  defeated  by  the  Ameri- 
can army.  He  retreated  to 
Saratoga,  where  he  found  himself  sur- 
rounded, and  on  the  17th  he  surrendered 
what  was  left  of  his  army,  nearly  6,000  men, 
to  General  Gates.  The  honor  of  the  \ic- 
tor}^  however,  is  due  to  Arnold  and  Mor- 
gan. Judged  by  its  results,  Saratoga  was 
one  of  the  greatest  battles  of  history.  It 
saved  New  York  State,  destroyed  the 
British  plan  of  the  war,  induced  England  to 
offer  peace  with  representation  in  Parlia- 
ment or  anything  else  except  independence, 
and  secured  for  us  the  aid  of  France.  .\ 
delay  of  ten  days  had  taken  place  between 
the  last  battle  and  the  surrender,  before  a 
convention  or  agreement  for  terms  of  sur- 
render had  been  made  between  the  two 
commanding  officers.  It  was  finally  decided 
that  Burgoyne's  army,  which  became 
known  as  the  "Convention  prisoners," 
should  be  marched  to  Boston.  They  were 
afterward  divided  into  small  bands, 
marched  southward  and  held  for  a  long 
period  as  prisoners  of  war  in  the  states  of 
Pennsylvania,  Marvland  and  Virginia. 
Some  of  them  were  kept  at  Lancaster  and 
York. 


Colonel  James  Wilkinson,  a 
News  young  man  of  twenty  years,  who 
Brought  was  serving  as  an  aide  on  the 
to  York,  staff  of  General  Gates,  was  as- 
signed the  duty  of  bringing  the 
news  of  this  brilliant  victory  and  surrender 
to  Congress  at  York.  He  left  Albany  Oc- 
tober 20  and  reached  Easton,  Pennsylvania, 
on  the  24th,  where  he  stopped  one  day. 
Here  he  met  Dr.  William  Shippen,  the 
director-general  of  the  hospitals.  The  fol- 
lowing day  he  proceeded  toward  Reading, 
which  he  reached  on  the  evening  of  the 
27th.  While  at  Reading,  he  dined  with 
Lord  Stirling,  of  the  American  army,  who 
had  been  wounded  at  Brandywine.  One  of 
the  guests  at  the  dinner  was  Alajor  James 
Monroe,  afterward  President  of  the  United 
States,  and  who  was  then  recuperating 
from  a  wound  he  had  received  at  the  battle 
of  Trenton.  At  this  dinner,  while  in  con- 
vivial mood,  after  drinking  too  much 
Madiera  wine,  W^ilkinson  revealed  the  plot 
to  remove  Washington  from  the  head  of  the 
army.  This  plot  was  known  as  the  "Con- 
way Cabal."  W^ilkinson  also  dined  at  Read- 
ing with  General  Mifflin,  where  he  met  two 
members  of  Congress  from  New  England. 

Meantime,  heavy  rains  had  fallen  and  the 
Schuylkill  River  had  overflowed  its  banks 
so  that  the  stream,  according  to  Colonel 
Wilkinson's  statement,  was  impassable  and 
he  remained  at  Reading  three  days.  He  ar- 
ri\-ed  at  York  October  31,  but  the  news  of 
the  victory  at  Saratoga  and  the  surrender 
of  Burgoyne  had  reached  Congress  ten  days 
before  he  came.  ^Military  courtesy  would 
have  required  that  General  Gates  should 
have  communicated  this  information  to 
AVashington,  the  head  of  the  army,  and 
from  that  source  it  should  have  been  trans- 
mitted to  Congress,  but  at  this  early  date, 
he  showed  his  disrespect  for  his  chief.  On 
October  21,  according  to  the  journals  of 
Congress,  two  letters  w-ere  received  by  that 
body  giving  notification  of  the  surrender  of 
Burgoyne.  One  of  these  letters  was  sent 
by  General  Washington  from  his  headquar- 
ters near  Philadelphia,  and  the  other  b)^ 
General  Israel  Putnam,  from  Fishkill,  X. 
Y.,  so  that  they  were  informed  of  the  vic- 
tory before  Wilkinson  arrived.  The  infor- 
mation had  been  communicated  to  both 
Washington  and  Putnam  by  Governor 
Clinton,  of  X'ew  York. 


298 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY,   PEXXSYLVAXIA 


When  Wilkinson  arrived  at  York,  Han- 
cock had  resigned  as  President  of  Congress 
and  returned  to  his  home  in  Massachusetts. 
Charles  Thomson,  of  Philadelphia,  secre- 
tary of  Congress,  acted  as  President  until 
November  i,  when  Henry  Laurens,  of 
South  Carolina,  assumed  the  duties  of  this 
office,  to  which  he  had  lately  been  chosen. 
Finding  that  a  change  in.  office  had  taken 
place,  Wilkinson  appeared  before  Secretary 
Thomson  and  presented  him  the  following 
letter: 

Camp  Saratoga,  Oct.   18,   1777. 
Gates'  Sir  : — I   have   the  satisfaction   to  present 

RetJOrt  ^°"'      Excellency     with     the     convention 

•1^  of    Saratoga,    by    which    his    Excellency, 

Lieutenant-General  Burgoyne,  has  sur- 
rendered himself  and  his  whole  army  into  my  hands, 
and  they  are  now  upon  their  march  for  Boston.  This 
signal  and  important  event  is  the  more  glorious,  as  it 
was  effected  with  so  little  loss  to  the  army  of  the 
United  States. 

This  letter  will  be  presented  to  your  Excellency  by 
my  adjutant-general.  Colonel  Wilkinson,  to  whom  I 
must  beg  leave  to  refer  your  Excellency  for  the  particu- 
lars that  brought  this  great  business  to  so  happy  and 
fortunate  a  conclusion. 

I  desire  to  be  permitted  to  recommend  this  gallant 
officer,  in  the  warmest  manner,  to  Congress ;  and  entreat 
that  he  may  be  continued  in  his  present  office  with  the 
brevet  of  a  brigadier-general. 

The  honorable  Congress  will  believe  me  when  I  assure 
them,  that  from  the  beginning  of  this  contest  I  have  not 
met  with  a  more  promising  military  genius  than  Colonel 
Wilkinson,  whose  services  have  been  of  the  greatest 
importance  to  this  army. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be. 

Your  Excellency's  most  obedient  and  humble  servant 

HORATIO  GATES. 
His  Excellency  John  Hancock,  Esq., 
President  of  Congress. 

"By    an    order    of    Congress," 

Wilkinson     says  Colonel  Wilkinson  in  his 

Before        "Memoirs,"  "I  appeared  before 

Congress.       Congress,  October  31,  where  I 

was  received  with  kindness 
and  treated  with  indulgence.  After  having 
answered  sundry  questions  respecting  the 
relative  situation  of  the  two  armies  before, 
at  and  after  the  convention,  the  bearing  of 
which  in  some  instances  tended  to  depreci- 
ate its  importance;  I  observed  that  I  had  in 
charge  sundry  papers  to  be  submitted  to 
Congress,  which  required  time  for  their  ar- 
rangement, and  thereupon  I  was  pertnitted 
to  withdraw. 

"In  the  course  of  this  audience,  I  thought 
I  perceived  a  disposition  on  the  part  of  two 
or  three  gentlemen .  to  derogate  General 
Gates'  triumph.  I  had  been  questioned  as 
to  the  practicability  of  making  Burgoyne's 
army  prisoners   of   war,   and   had   heard   it 


observed,  that  it  would  have  been  better  for 
the  United  States  if  that  army  had  escaped 
to  Canada,  where  it  would  have  been  out  of 
the  way ;  whereas  the  Convention  would 
merely  serve  to  transfer  it  to  Sir  \\'illiam 
Howe,  and  bring  Burgoyne's  whole  force 
immediatel}-  into  operation  against  us  on 
the  Atlantic  Coast.  As  unreasonable  as 
these  exceptions  were,  they  merited  con- 
sideration, and  I  determined  to  exercise  the 
authority  General  Gates  had  given  me,  and 
meet  them  by  a  message  to  be  prepared  for 
Congress  in  his  name.  I  consulted  two  of 
his  friends,  Samuel  Adams  and  James 
Lovell,  on  the  subject,  to  whom  I  had  let- 
ters, who  commended  the  plan,  and  I  made 
a  draft  which  they  entirely  approved. 

"Having  prepared  and  arranged  the  docu- 
ments preliminary  to  the  Convention,  with 
returns  of  the  two  armies,  and  of  the  ord- 
nance and  stores  captured,  I  was  again  in- 
troduced to  Congress  the  afternoon  of 
November  3,  by  Mr.  Thompson,  Henry 
Laurens  having  been  chosen  the  president, 
and  delivered  to  that  body  a  message  from 
General  Gates." 

This  message  discussed  in  detail  the  bat- 
tle of  Saratoga  and  the  surrender  of  the 
British  army.  It  was  accompanied  by 
various  original  papers  relating  to  the  Con- 
vention or  agreement  between  Gates  and 
Burgoyne  when  they  decided  upon  the 
terms  of  surrender. 

On  November  4,  the  day  after  AA'ilkinson 
appeared  the  second  time  before  Congress, 
he  wrote  an  efTusive  letter  to  Gates,  ad- 
dressing him  as  "My  Dear  General  and 
Loved  Friend."  In  this  letter  he  bewailed 
the  fact  that  there  was  opposition  to  Gates 
among  the  members  to  Congress.  He  la- 
mented that  he  had  not  yet  been  honored 
with  any  marks  of  distinction  and  also 
stated  that  he  had  met  Mrs.  Gates  and  her 
son.  Bob,  while  in  York. 

A  proposal  was  introduced  into  Congress 
two  days  later  to  present  W'ilkinson  with  a 
sword.  At  this  juncture  Dr.  John  Wither- 
spoon,  a  delegate  from  New  Jersey,  in  his 
broad  Scotch,  dryly  remarked  "I  think  ye'd 
better  give  the  lad  a  pair  of  spurs."  An- 
other delegate  quickly  responded  "And  a 
whip  so  that  he  may  bring  official  news 
more  promptly  another  time." 

Colonel  Wilkinson  remained  in  York 
until  November  g.     In  the  meantime  he  was 


COXTIXEXTAL  COXCRESS  AT  YORK 


299 


made  a  brigadier-general  by  brevet.  He  re- 
turned to  the  Xorthern  army,  going  by  way 
of  AX'asiiington's  headquarters.  Twenty 
years  later  Colonel  Wilkinson  was  ap- 
pointed to  the  head  of  the  army  of  the 
United  States. 

On      November     4,      Congress 

Gates         passed  the  following:  Resolved, 

Honored.     That  the  thanks  of  Congress  in 

their  own  name,  and  in  behalf 
of  the  inhabitants  of  the  thirteen  United 
States,  be  presented  to  Major-General 
Gates,  commander-in-chief  in  the  northern 
department,  and  to  Majors-General  Lincoln 
and  Arnold,  and  the  rest  of  the  officers  and 
troops  under  his  command,  for  their  brave 
and  successful  eftorts  in  support  of  the  in- 
ilependence  of  their  country,  whereby  an 
ami}'  of  the  enemy  of  10,000  men  has  been 
totally  defeated,  one  large  detachment  of  it, 
strongly  posted  and  entrenched,  having 
been  conquered  at  Bennington,  and  another 
repulsed  with  loss  and  disgrace  from  Fort 
Schuyler,  and  the  main  army  of  6,000  men, 
under  Lieutenant-General  Burgoyne,  after 
being  beaten  in  different  actions  and  driven 
from  a  formidable  post  and  strong  entrench- 
ments, reduced  to  the  necessity  of  surren- 
dering themselves  upon  terms,  honorable 
and  advantageous  to  these  states,  on  the 
17th  day  of  October  last,  to  Major-General 
Gates:  and  that  a  medal  of  gold  be  struck 
under  the  direction  of  the  Board  of  War, 
in  commemoration  of  this  great  event,  and 
in  the  name  of  these  United  States,  be  pre- 
sented by  the  president  to  ^lajor-General 
Gates. 

General  Washington  was  then  informed 
that  it  was  the  desire  of  Congress  that  the 
forts  and  passes  on  the  Hudson  be  regained. 
For  this  purpose  he  was  instructed  to  retain 
Gates  in  the  command  of  the  Northern  De- 
partment. General  Israel  Putnam,  then  at 
Fishkill,  Xew  York,  with  2,500  men,  was 
ordered  to  join  the  main  armv  under  Wash- 
ington near  Philadelphia. 

On    October  31,    President 
First  Laurens  appointed  Richard 

National  Henry     Lee.    of    Virginia; 

Thanksgiving.  Samuel  Adams,  of  Massa- 
chusetts, and  General  Rob- 
erdeau.  of  Pennsylvania,  a  committee  of 
Congress  to  draft  a  national  proclamation 
of  Thanksgi\ing,  the  first  in  the  history  of 
the     .American     Republic.       This     historic 


document  was  written  at  York  by  that  emi- 
nent Virginian,  Richard  Henry  Lee,  who 
less  than  two  years  before  had  moved  in 
Congress,  at  Philadelphia,  that  "these 
United  States  are  and  of  right  ought  to  be 
free  and  independent  states,"  and  himself 
became  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declara- 
tion of  Lidependence.  On  November  i  the 
committee  appointed  to  prepare  a  recom- 
mendation to  set  apart  a  day  of  public 
thanksgiving,  brought  in  a  report,  which 
was  taken  into  consideration  and  agreed  to 
unanimously.  The  proclamation  is  re- 
markable in  language  and  thought.  Besides 
breathing  forth  a  spirit  of  lofty  patriotism, 
it  also  contains  a  deep  and  fervent  religious 
sentiment.  Following  is  the  proclamation 
in  full : 

""  "Forasmuch  as  it  is  the  indispensable 
duty  of  all  men  to  adore  the  superintending 
pro\idence  of  Almighty  God,  to  acknowl- 
edge with  gratitude  their  obligations  for 
benefits  received,  and  to  implore  such  fur- 
ther blessings  as  they  stand  in  need  of;  and 
it  having  pleased  Him  in  His  abundant 
mercy,  not  only  to  continue  to  us  the  in- 
numerable bounties  of  His  common  Prov- 
idence, but  also  to  smile  upon  us  in  the 
prosecution  of  a  just  and  necessary  war  for 
the  defence  and  establishment  of  our  in- 
alienable rights  and  liberties;  particularly 
in  that  He  has  been  pleased  in  so  great  a 
measure  to  prosper  the  means  used  for  the 
support  of  our  troops  and  to  crown  our 
arms  with  most  signal  success.  'Tt  is  there- 
fore recommended  to  the  legislature  of 
executive  powers  of  these  United  States  to 
set  apart  Thursday,  the  i8th  of  December 
next,  for  solemn  Thanksgiving  and  praise ; 
that  with  one  heart  and  one  voice,  the  peo- 
ple of  this  country  may  express  the  grateful 
feelings  of  their  hearts  and  consecrate 
themselves  to  the  service  of  their  Divine 
Benefactor:  and  that  together  with  their 
sincere  acknowledgments,  they  niay  join  in 
a  penitent  confession  of  their  manifold  sins, 
whereby  they  had  forfeited  every  favor;  and 
their  humble  and  earnest  supplication  may 
be  that  it  may  please  God,  through  the 
merits  of  Jesus  Christ  mercifully  to  forgive 
and  blot  them  out  of  remembrance;  that  it 
may  please  Him  graciously,  to  grant  His 
blessings  on  the  government  of  these 
states  respectively  and  prosper  the  public 
council  of  the  whole  United  States;  to  in- 


300 


HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUNTY.    PEXXSYLVAXIA 


spire  our  commanders,  both  by  land  and  sea, 
and  all  under  them,  with  that  wisdom  and 
fortitude,  which  may  render  them  tit  instru- 
ments under  the  Providence  of  Almighty 
God  to  secure  for  these  United  States,  the 
greatest  of  all  blessings,  independence  and 
peace;  that  it  may  please  Him  to  prosper 
the  trade  and  manufactures  of  the  people 
and  the  labor  of  the  husbandman,  that  our 
land  may  yield  its  increase;  to  take  the 
schools  and  seminaries  of  education,  so  ne- 
cessary for  cultivating  the  principles  of  true 
liberty,  virtue  and  piety,  under  his  nurtur- 
ing hand  and  to  prosper  the  means  of 
retigion,  for  promotion  and  enlargement  of 
that  Kingdom,  which  consists  of  righteous- 
ness, peace  and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost.  It 
is  further  recommended  that  servile  labor 
and  such  recreation  as  at  other  times  inno- 
cent, may  be  unbecoming  the  purpose  of 
this  appointment  on  so  solemn  occasion." 

On  November  i.  President  Laurens 
wrote  the  following  letter  to  each  of  the 
Governors  of  the  thirteen  states  then  in  the 
Union : 

York  in  Pennsyh'ania.  Nov.  i,  1777- 
Sir: — The  arms  of  the  United  vState.s  of  America 
having  been  blessed  in  the  present  campaign  with  re- 
markable success.  Congress  has  resolved  to  recommend 
that  Thursday,  December  i8.  ne.xt  be  set  apart  to  be 
observed  by  all  inhabitants  throughout  the  Uinted 
States  for  a  general  Thanksgiving  to  Almighty  God. 
and  I  hereby  transmit  to  you  the  enclosed  extract  from 
the  minutes  of  Congress  for  that  purpose. 

Your  Excellency  will  be  pleased  to  take  the  necessary 
measures  for  carrying  this  resolve  into  effect  in  the 
state  in  which  you  reside.  You  will  likewise  find  en- 
closed certified  copy  of  the  minutes,  which  will  show 
j-our  Excellency  the  authority  under  which  I  have  the 
honor  of  addressing  \'0U. 

I  am  with  great  esteem  and  regard,  sir,  your  Excel- 
lency's most  obedient  and  humble  servant. 

ARTICLES   OF   CONFEDERATION 
ADOPTED. 

As  early  as  July.  1775,  Benjamin  Franklin 
submitted  to  Continental  Congress  a  draft 
of  Articles  of  Confederation  for  the 
thirteen  Colonies.  His  plan  limited  their 
vitalitv  to  a  time  when  reconciliation  with 
Great  Britain  should  take  place,  but  if  that 
event  did  not  occur,  they  should  be  per- 
petual. Congress  then  had  no  fixed  plans 
for  the  future  and  Dr.  Franklin's  proposi- 
tion does  not  seem  to  have  been  taken  up 
for  discussion  at  that  time.  After  the 
Declaration  of  Independence  was  passed 
and  signed,  in  1-776.  it  was  evident  that 
some  agreement  to  bind  the  states  together 


more  firmly  was  necessary.     It  was  an  easy 
matter  to  declare  the  states  free  and  inde- 
pendent, but  it  was  more  difficult  to  form  a 
perfect  union.     Congress  therefore  decided 
that   a  committee   should   be   appointed   to 
prepare  and  properly  digest  a  form  of  con- 
federation to  be  entered  into  by  the  several 
states.       The     committee   when    appointed 
was  composed  of  one  delegate    from    each 
state  with  John  Dickinson,  of  Pennsylvania, 
as   chairman,    and   through    him   this   com- 
mittee reported  a  draft  of  Articles  of  Con- 
federation on  July  12,  eight  days  after  the 
Declaration  had  been  passed.     Almost  daily 
discussions  on  this  subject  then  took  place 
in    Congress    until    August    20.    when    the 
report  was  laid  aside  and  was  not  taken  up 
until  the  following  April.     ^Meanwhile  sev- 
eral of  the  states  had  adopted  constitutions 
and  Congress  was  recognized  by  the  differ- 
ent states  as  the  supreme  head  in  all  mat- 
ters of  public    finance    and    plans    for    the 
prosecution  of  the  war.     During  the  next 
six  months  the  subject  was  debated  two  or 
three  times  a  week  and  several  amendments 
were  added.      After    Congress  removed  to 
York  and  began  the  vigorous  transaction  of 
Inisiness,  discussions  on  the  Articles  were 
continued    almost    daily    from    October    7 
until     they     were     passed,     November     15. 
During       these        discussions,        animated 
speeches  were  delivered  and  the  conflicting 
interests     of     the     states     were     strongly 
brought  into  view  by  the  different  speakers. 
After  a  spirited  debate,  the  Articles  of  Con- 
federation  were   voted   upon    aflirmatively. 
The  vote  of  Congress,    passing    these    Ar- 
ticles, directed  that  they  be  submitted  to  the 
legislatures  of  the    several    states    for    ap- 
proval.     According    to    the    statement    of 
Daniel  Roberdeau,  a  delegate  from   Penn- 
svlvania.   the   Articles   of  Confederation   as 
passed  at  York.  November  15.  were  sent  to 
Lancaster  to  be  printed.     After  they  were 
printed,   Congress   directed   that,  copies   be 
sent  to  the  speakers    of    the    various    state 
legislatures  and  laid  before  them  for  ratifi- 
cation.    They  were  accompanied  by  a  com- 
munication   requesting    the    several    legis- 
latures in  case  they  approved  of  them,  to 
instruct  their  delegates  in  Congress,  to  vote 
for  a  ratification  of  them,    which    last    act 
should  be  final  and  conclusive.     Tliis  com- 
munication was  in  the  form   of  an  urgent 
appeal  for    immediate    and    united    action. 


COXTIXEXTAL  CONGRESS  AT  YORK 


301 


and  endeavored  to  show  that  the  plan  pro- 
posed was  the  best  that  couUl  Ije  adapted  to 
the  circumstances  of  all.  -\  committee  of 
Congress,  composed  of  \\'illiam  Duer, 
James  Lovell  and  Francis  Lightfoot  Lee, 
was  appointed.  November  29,  to  make  a 
translation  of  the  Articles  of  Confederation 
into  the  French  language.  This  translation 
was  sent  to  Benjamin  Franklin  and  the 
other  commissioners  at  Paris,  ^vho  were  en- 
deavoring to  secure  a  recognition  of  the 
American  Republic  b\'  Louis  XVI,  King  of 
France. 

The  different  legislatures  felt  the  neces- 
sity of  a  firm  bond  of  union  between  the 
states,  yet  they  were  slow  to  ratify  the  Ar- 
ticles. Some  of  them  could  not  agree  on 
the  plan  of  representation  mentioned  in  the 
Articles,  because  under  them  each  state  was 
entitled  to  the  same  voice  in  Congress 
whatever  might  be  the  difference  in  popu- 
lation. 

The  most  objectionable  feature,  however, 
was  the  plan  to  determine  the  boundary 
lines  of  the  states  and  the  disposition  of  the 
unsettled  western  lands  still  belonging  to 
England.  On  June  -22,  1778,  five  days 
before  adjourning  at  York  to  meet  in  Phila- 
delphia, Congress  proceeded  to  consider  the 
objections  of  the  states  to  the  Articles  of 
Confederation  and  after  a  careful  consider- 
ation of  them,  Richard  Henry  Lee,  of  Vir- 
ginia. Gouverneur  ^Morris,  of  New^  Y'ork,  and 
Francis  Dana,  of  Massachusetts,  were  ap- 
l)ointed  a  committee  to  prepare  a  form  of 
ratification.  They  reported  the  draft  the 
following  day  and  it  was  agreed  to. 

Six  states,  ^lassachusetts,  Con- 
Articles  necticut,  Virginia,  Xorth  Caro- 
Ratified.     lina.  South  Carolina  and  Georgia, 

claimed  that  their  "from  sea  to 
sea"  charters  gave  them  lands  between  the 
mountains  and  the  Mississippi  River,  and 
one  state,  Xew  York,  had  bought  the  In- 
dian title  to  land  in  the  Ohio  Valley.  The 
other  six  states  did  not  have  "from  sea  to 
sea  charters"  and  so  had  no  claims  to  west- 
ern lands.  As  three  of  them,  New  Jersey, 
Delaware  and  Maryland,  held  that  the 
claims  01  their  sister  states  were  invalid, 
they  now  refused  to  adopt  the  Articles  un- 
less the  land  so  claimed  was  given  to  Con- 
gress to  be  used  to  pay  for  the  cost  of  the 
Revolution.  For  three  years,  the  land- 
claiming  states  refused  to  be  convinced  by 


tiiese  arguments,  but  the  majority  of  the 
states  had  instructed  their  delegates  to  sign 
the  Articles  by  July  9,  1778.  At  length, 
finding  that  Maryland  was  determined  not 
to  adopt  the  Articles  till  her  demands  were 
complied  with,  they  began  to  yield.  In 
February,  1780,  Xe^\■  York  ceded  her  claims 
to  Congress,  and  in  January,  1781,  Virginia 
gave  up  her  claim  to  the  country  north  of 
the  Ohio  River.  Maryland  had  now  car- 
Vied  her  point,  and  on  March  4,  1781,  her 
delegates  signed  the  Articles  of  Confedera- 
tion. As  all  the  other  states  had  ratified  the 
Articles,  this  act  on  the  part  of  Maryland 
made  them  law.  and  on  ]\Iarch  2,  1781,  Con- 
gress met  for  the  first  time  under  a  form  of 
government  the  states  were  pledged  to  obey 
and  wdiich  was  in  force  until  the  adoption 
of  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  in 
1789. 

October  17,  Congress  decided 
Printing  that  the  Committee  of  Intelli- 
Press  at  gence  be  authorized  to  take  the 
York.  most  speedy  and  effectual  meas- 
ures for  getting  a  printing  press 
erected  in  York  for  the  purpose  of  "convey- 
ing to  the  public  the  intelligence  that  Con- 
gress may  from  time  to  time  receive."  The 
chairman  of  this  committee  was  Richard 
Henry  Lee,  of  Virginia,  who,  with  his  asso- 
ciates, completed  arrangements  for  the  re- 
moval to  York  of  the  Hall  and  Sellers 
Press,  which  had  been  conveyed  to  Lan- 
caster when  Congress  left  Philadelphia. 
This  printing  press  originally  belonged  to 
Benjamin  Franklin,  who  sold  it  to  Hall  and 
Sellers,  publishers  of  the  "Pennsylvania  Ga- 
zette." This  paper,  by  authority  of  Con- 
gress, was  printed  at  York  from  the  time 
the  press  was  brought  here  until  June  .27, 
1778,  when  Congress  returned  to  Philadel- 
phia. The  files  of  this  paper  for  that  period 
are  now  in  the  State  Library  at  Harris- 
burg. 

The  Hall  and  Sellers  press,  when  brought 
to  York,  was  placed  in  the  second  story  of 
the  building  now  standing  at  the  southwest 
corner  of  Market  and  Beaver  Streets,  occu- 
pied by  the  Adams  Express  Company. 
During  the  Revolution  this  building  was 
the  residence  of  Major  John  Clark,  a  noted 
soldier  who  served  on  the  staff  of  General 
Xathaniel  Greene.  Besides  printing  the 
Pennsvlvania  Gazette  and  a  variety  of 
pamphlets    and    documents    for    Congress, 


^02 


TTTS'I'ORV   OF   YORK    COL'-XTV.    PRXXSVL\- AXTA 


•Hall   and   Sellers    were   authorized   to   print 
a  vast  amount  of  Continental  money. 

The  first   Board  of  \\'ar  to  direct 

New       the  affairs  of  the  army,  similar  to 

Board     the  War  Department  of  today,  was 

of         appointed  in  June,    1776.      It    was 

War.  composeil  of  John  Adams,  Roger 
Sherman,  Benjamin  Harrison, 
James  Wilson,  and  Edward  Rutledge,  five 
members  of  Congress.  This  board,  with 
John  Adams  as  president,  was  continued 
until  1777.  In  November  of  that  year,  by 
resolution  of  Congress,  a  new  Board  of 
A\'ar,  composed  of  three  persons,  appointed 
to  sit  in  the  place  where  Congress  held  its 
sessions.  They  were  not  to  be  members  of 
Congress  and  Thomas  Mii^in,  who  had  just 
resigned  as  quartermaster-general  of  the 
army.  Colonel  Timothy  Pickering,  adjutant- 
general  of  the  army,  and  Colonel  Robert 
Harrison,  an  aide  on  Washington's  stafi, 
w'ere  appointed  the  members  of  this  board. 
They  were  to  receive  two  thousand  dollars 
a  year.  Colonel  Harrison,  the  only  personal 
friend  of  Washington  in  the  board,  declined 
the  appointment.  On  November  2y,  Con- 
gress decided  to  increase  the  number  to 
five  members,  and  elected  General  Horatio 
Gates,  Joseph  Trumbull  and  Richard 
Peters. 

Henr}-  Laurens,  President  of  Congress, 
then  wrote  to  General  Gates,  "I  have  the 
pleasure  of  informing  j-ou  that  you  have 
been  elected  a  member  of  the  Board  of  W' ar 
and  by  the  unanimous  voice  of  Congress 
appointed  its  president,  -a  circumstance 
thoroughly  e.xpressive  of  the  high  sense 
which  Congress  entertains  of  your  abilities 
and  peculiar  fitness  to  discharge  the  duties 
of  that  important  ofilice,  iqion  the  right 
execution  of  which  the  safety  and  interest 
of  the  United  States  eminently  depend." 
General  Gates  was  allowed  to  retain  the 
rank  and  pay  of  a  major-general  in  the 
army  and  was  not  to  be  present  at  the  meet- 
ings when  his  ser\-ices  were  demanded  in 
the  field.  The  membership  was  now  almost 
entirely  opposed  to  the  interest  of  A\'ash- 
ington,  who  had  not  }-et  Icwsmed  up  as  the 
dominant  personality  of  the  Re\-olution. 
The  acting  members  of  the  Board  of  \\'ar 
at  this  time  were  Timothy  Pickering,  of 
Massachusetts,  and  Richard  Peters,  of 
Pennsylvania,  each  of  wliom  received  two 
thousand  dollars    a    \ear.      General    Gates 


came  to  York  in  January,  1778,  still  bearing 
the  laurels  of  his  victory  at  Saratoga. 

Although  the  Board  of 
Appropriations.     Treasury    at    this    period 

did  not  have  a  large  fund 
to  its  credit,  the  amount  of  monev  dis- 
tributed by  authority  of  Congress  from  its 
vaults  and  different  loan  offices  during  Oc- 
tober, the  first  month  of  its  session  at  York, 
exceeded  one  million  dollars.  An  appropri- 
ation of  $352,000  was  granted  to  Thomas 
Mifflin,  (luartermaster-general  of  the  army, 
in  accordance  with  his  request  of  October 
14.  Of  this  sum,  a  warrant  on  the  loan 
oflice  of  the  State  of  Connecticut  for  $50,000 
was  to  be  sent  to  the  deputy  quartermaster- 
generalat  Fishkill,  New  York;  one  on  the 
loan  office  of  the  State  of  New  Hampshire 
for  $50,000  was  to  be  sent  to  the  deputy 
quartermaster-general  at  Hartford,  Con- 
necticut; one  on  the  loan  office  of  the  State 
of  X'irginia  for  $50,000  was  to  be  sent  to  the 
deput}'  c|uartermaster-general  at  W^illiams- 
burg,  X'irginia;  one  on  the  loan  office  of  the 
State  of  New  Jersey  for  $40,000  was  to  be 
sent  to  the  deputy  quartermaster-general  at 
Easton,  and  one  on, the  loan  office  of  the 
State  of  Pennsylvania  for  $60,000.  The  re- 
maining $102,000  was  to  be  paid  General 
Mifllin  out  of  the  treasury  or  monies  in  the 
hands  of  the  auditor-general. 

The  Board  of  War  was  voted  $300,000  to 
be  sent  to  the  paymaster-general  for  the  use 
of  the  ami}'  under  A\'ashington,  near  Phila- 
delphia. A  warrant  for  $200,000  was  or- 
dered drawn  on  the  loan  office  for  the  State 
of  Massachusetts  in  favor  of  Jonathan 
Trumbull,  Jr.,  deputy  quartermaster-gen- 
eral, for  the  use  of  the  army  on  the  Hudson 
under  General  Horatio  Gates.  Other  sums 
advanced  by  Congress  were  $14,000  to 
Colonel  George  ]\forgan  for  the  public  ser- 
vice at  Fort  Pitt,  now  Pittsburg;  $10,000 
to  John  Baynton,  deputy  paymaster-general 
at  Fort  Pitt ;  $3,000  to  Ebenezer  Hazard, 
surveyor-general  of  the  postoffice  of  the 
United  States;  $10,000  by  warrant  on  the 
loan  office  of  Pennsylvania  in  fa\or  of  Wil- 
liam Henry,  of  Lancaster,  for  the  purchase 
of  shoes  and  leather  and  for  repairing  con- 
tinental arms;  $10,000  to  William  Bu- 
chanan, commissary-general,  to  close  his 
accounts ;  $20,000  for  Continental  troops  in 
Georgia,  and  $4,000  to  George  Ross  and 
Comiianv.  owners  of  Marv  Ann  Furnace,  in 


COX'l'IXl'.X'IWl.   COXC.RI'.SS   AT   YORK 


303 


part  payment  for  cannon  balls  for  the  nav)-. 
'I'his  last  item  has  special  local  significance. 
George  Ross,  of  Lancaster,  one  of  the  sign- 
ers of  the  Declaration  of  Independence, 
owned  ]\Iary  Ann  Furnace.  This  furnace, 
situated  four  miles  south  of  Hanover,  had 
been  erected  in  1762  and  made  cannon  balls 
for  the  American  army  and  navy  in  consid- 
erable quantities. 

In  a  letter  written  by  Jonathan 

Expenses     Elmer,     a     delegate     from     the 

of  a  State  of  New  Jersey  and  dated 

Delegate,     at  York,  N^ovember  20,  1777,  he 

stated  that  he  would  leave  York 
in  a  few  days,  after  which  the  State  of  New 
Jersey  would  have  no  representation  in 
Congress,  until  new  ones  were  elected  by 
the  Legislature.  In  this  letter,  he  mentions 
the  fact  that  it  cost  him  20  shillings,  or 
about  $5.00,  a  day  as  expenses  while  at- 
tending Congress.  He  said  it  cost  him 
sixty-five  pounds  to  support  himself  and  his 
horse  during  the  seven  weeks  he  was  at 
York.  He  further  stated  that  delegates 
from  other  states  received  a  salary  from  five 
to  eight  dollars  a  day. 

On  December,  i  1777,  Congress 
Lafayette  passed  a  resolution  requesting 
a  Major-  that  Washington  place  General 
General.       Lafayette     in     command    of     a 

division  of  Continental  troops. 
Lafayette  had  recently  arrived  in  this  coun- 
try from  France  for  the  purpose  of  aiding 
the  Americans  in  the  war  for  independence. 
He  had  inherited  a  dislike  for  the  English 
crown,  for  his  father  had  Iseen  killed  in  the 
French  army  on  English  soil,  before  the 
son  was  born.  Lafayette  had  left  his  young 
wife  and  two  children  in  France,  to  come  to 
America.  He  landed  at  Charleston,  South 
Carolina.  From  thence  he  traveled  with  a 
retinue  of  attendants  to  Philadelphia,  ar- 
riving there  shortly  before  the  battle  of 
Brandywine.  He  was  only  twenty  years  of 
age,  when  Congress,  at  the  request  of 
Washington,  promoted  him  to  the  rank  of 
major-general  in  the  .\merican  army.  On 
the  same  day  that  this  request  was  made. 
Congress  ordered  that  the  Committee  of 
Commerce  ship  with  all  dispatch,  4,000 
hogsheads  of  tobacco  to  the  commissioners 
of  the  L^nited  States  at  the  Court  of  France, 
to  comply  with  a  contract  made  with  the 
authorities  of  that  countrv. 


December  i,  it  ordered  that  a  warrant  be 
issued  on  Thomas  Smith,  commissioner  of 
the  loan  office  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania, 
for  $20,000  in  favor  of  John  Gibson,  auditor- 
general  of  Pennsylvania;  that  a  warrant 
also  be  issued  on  Thomas  Smith  for  $50,000 
to  be  sent  to  Dr.  William  Shippen,  director- 
general  of, the  government  hospitals  in  con- 
nection with  the  army.  The  same  da)-. 
Congress  ordered  that  a  warrant  be  issued 
on  Michael  Hillegas,  treasurer  of  the  United 
States,  with  his  office  at  the  northeast  cor- 
ner of  George  Street  and  Centre  Square, 
for  the  amount  of  $50,000,  for  the  use  of 
Dr.  William  Shippen,  in  his  department; 
ordered  that  $200,000  be  sent  to  William 
Buchanan,  commissary-general  of  pur- 
chases, for  the  American  army;  that  $10,000 
be  sent  to  Benjamin  Flower,  commissary- 
general  of  militar}^  stores;  that  $450,000  be 
sent  to  Thomas  Mifflin,  quartermaster-, 
general  of  the  army;  the  sum  of  $150,000 
of  this  amount  from  the  loan  office  in  the 
State  of  New  York;  and  $100,000  each  from 
the  loan  offices  of  Pennsylvania  and  New 
Jersey,  and  $100,000  on  the  continental 
treasurer. 

On  December  2,  the  question  of 
John  the  retirement  of  John  Adams 
Adams  from  Congress  came  before  that 
Retires,  body.  He  had  served  continu- 
ously as  a  delegate  to  Congress 
since  1775,  taking  a  very  active  part  in  all 
its  deliberations.  Adams  seconded  the 
nomination  of  appointing  Washington  as 
the  head  t)f  the  armj',  in  June,  1775,  and 
made  a  forceful  speech  on  that  occasion. 
For  a  time,  he  was  the  devoted  friend  and 
supporter  of  the  commander-in-chief.  At 
this  period  in  the  war  he  was  more  inclined 
to  favor  the  promotion  of  Gates.  Late  in 
November,  he  wrote  to  a  friend  in  Boston 
that  the  money  he  received  as  a  delegate  to 
Congress  was  hardly  sufficient  to  pay  his 
hired  man,  whom  he  had  engaged  to  take 
charge  of  the  afTairs  of  his  farm  at  Quincy, 
Massachusetts.  He  had  already  left  York 
on  horseback  for  Boston  before  Congress 
had  voted  to  send  him  as  a  special  commis- 
sioner or  rather  envoy  extraordinary  to  the 
Court  of  France.  Benjamin  Franklin,  who 
was  still  a  member  of  Congress  from  Penn- 
sylvania, was  serving  on  the  commission  in 
France   in   order  to  secure   the   alliance   of 


This  was  a  busv  month  for  Congress.   On    that    government    in    the    cause    of    inde- 


304 


HIST{3RY   OF  YORK   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


pendence.  Silas  Deane,  of  Connecticut,  had 
pre\'iously  been  sent  to  Paris  for  the  same 
purpose,  and  Artliiu'  Lee,  of  Virginia,  who 
had  been  the  secret  agent  of  the  United 
Colonies  in  England,  had  also  been  commis- 
sioned to  go  to  France  for  the  same  pur- 
pose. Communications  had  frequently  been 
received  from  Franklin,  with  reference  to 
the  hope  of  conciliating  France  in  favor  of 
the  infant  republic.  It  was  now  felt  neces- 
sarj'  that  a  member  of  Congress  should 
proceed  across  the  ocean  and  confer  with 
the  American  commissioner  at  Paris. 
Adams  was  selected  for  that  position,  be- 
fore he  had  determined  to  go  to  his  home 
in  Massachusetts.  He  states  in  a  letter  that 
after  he  had  mounted  his  horse  at  York  for 
his  journey  home.  Elbridge  Gerry,  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, told  him  that  he  would  presently 
receive  a  communication  from  Congress, 
asking  him  to  go  to  France.  He  knew 
nothing  definite  about  this  matter  until  one 
month  later,  when  a  courier  arrived  at 
Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire,  where 
Adams,  as  a  lawyer,  was  engaged  in  the 
trial  of  a  case  in  court.  This  messenger 
came  to  the  desk  where  he  was  sitting,  and 
communicated  the  news  to  him.  On  De- 
cember 23,  he  wrote  a  letter  to  Congress 
accepting  the  appointment  of  commissioner 
to  the  Court  of  France. 

The  attitude  of  Adams  toward  General 
Vashington  as  commander-in-chief  was 
not  understood.  In  a  letter  written  from 
York  to  his  wife,  in  Massachusetts,  shortly 
after  Gates'  victory  at  Saratoga,  he  said,  "if 
there  was  anj-  glory  to  the  American  army, 
it  could  not  be  attributed  to  the  com- 
mander-in-chief." 

Before  he  had  completed  his  ar- 

Goes        rangements  to   go  to   France,   he 

to  was     called     upon     by     General 

France.     Henry  Knox,  chief  of  artillery  in 

the  American  arm}-,  and  after- 
ward secretary  of  war  in  Washington's  first 
cabinet.  In  answer  to  a  cjuery  concerning 
his  opinion,  Adams  responded  that  Wash- 
ington was  an  "amiable  gentleman."  This 
reply  did  not  satisfy  Knox,  who  was  a 
bosom  friend  of  Washington,  and  said,  "If 
you  go  to  France  as  a  special  commissioner 
from  Congress,  you  should  be  an  avowed 
supporter  of  the  commander-in-chief  of  our 
army."  Before  leaving  Portsmouth  for 
England,    Adams    had    expressed    himself 


more  favorably  toward  Washington.  By 
the  time  he  arrived  at  Paris,  Benjamin 
Franklin  had  secured  the  endorsement  of 
the  American  republic  by  Louis  XVI,  of 
France,  who  not  only  agreed  to  sign  a 
treaty  of  amity  and  commerce,  but  also  to 
send  a  fleet  and  army  to  aid  the  Americans 
in  fighting  for  their  freedom. 

The  treasury-  now  had  very  little  money 
in  its  vaults  and  Congress,  on  December  2, 
appointed  Nathaniel  Folsom,  of  New 
Hampshire;  James  Duane,  of  New  York, 
and  Francis  Dana,  of  Massachusetts,  a  com- 
mittee to  make  arrangements  for  securing 
a  loan.  Before  Adams  had  set  sail  for 
France,  Congress  decided  that  he  should 
unite  with  Franklin  in  asking  the  French 
government  to  loan  the  United  States 
$2,000,000  sterling  "on  the  thirteen  United 
States,  for  a  term  not  less  than  ten  3'ears." 
It  was  then  decided  to  request  the  legis- 
latures of  all  the  states  to  make  a  law  for 
the  collection  of  all  colonial  moneys  and 
bills  of  credit  issued  by  the  authority  of 
England  before  1775,  and  that  it  should  be 
exchanged  for  continental  money.  The 
sum  of  $3,100  was  ordered  to  be  sent  to 
Colonel  George  Morgan,  commanding  Fort 
Pitt,  at  the  site  of  Pittsburg,  which  was 
then  threatened  by  the  Indians.  Colonel 
Thomas  Butler,  in  charge  of  tlie  armory  at 
Lancaster,  was  voted  $1,800. 

On  December  3,  Congress  ordered  that 
$1,000,000  be  issued  under  the  direction  of 
the  Board  of  Treasury  and  on  the  "faith  of 
.the  United  States."  These  bills  were  to  be 
of  the  same  tenor  and  date  as  those  issued 
November  7,  1777,  to  the  amount  of 
$1,000,000.  This  money  was  issued  at  York 
under  authority  of  an  act  of  Congress 
passed  at  Philadelphia  and  does  not  bear 
the  impress  of  York  upon  it.  The  number 
of  15,384  bills  with  the  denomination  of  $3, 
$4,  $5,  $6,  $7,  each,  were  issued,  and  the 
number  of  15,385  bills  of  $2,  $8,  and  $30 
each.  On  this  day,  Francis  Dana,  of  Mas- 
sachusetts; Benjamin  Rumsey,  of  Mary- 
land, and  Dr.  Joseph  Jones,  of  Virginia, 
were  added  to  the  Board  of  Treasury. 
Dana  had  been  transferred  to  this  board 
from  the  Board  of  War.  John  Gibson  was 
voted  $380  in  favor  of  Lieutenant  Allen  for 
conveying  $300,000  to  North  Carolina.  On 
December  5,  Francis  Lewis,  of  New  York, 
arrived  and  took  his  seat  in  Congress.     The 


COXTIXEXTAL  CONGRESS  AT  YORK 


305 


sum  of  $70,ocx)  was  voted  to  James  Mease, 
clothier-general,  for  the  use  of  the  Ameri- 
can army.  The  sum  of  $50,000  was  voted 
to  Nathaniel  Appleton,  commissioner  of  the 
loan  office  of  Massachusetts,  for  the  use  of 
the  marine  department  of  that  state.  Joseph 
Clark  was  voted  $50,000  in  favor  of  the 
marine  committee  of  Rhode  Island. 

On  December  8,  James  Lovell,  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, chairman  of  the  committee  of 
foreign  atYairs,  was  ordered  by  Congress  to 
request  Silas  Deane,  one  of  the  commis- 
sioners at  Paris,  to  return  to  America  and 
report  to  Congress.  December  9,  Presi- 
dent Laurens  was  ordered  to  communicate 
with  the  legislatures  of  Connecticut,  Xew 
York,  Pennsylvania,  Jilaryland  and  South 
Carolina,  asking  that  those  states  have  a 
full  representation  in  Congress.  On  Sep- 
tember 17,  Congress  had  voted  to  General 
Washington,  extraordinary  powers,  for 
sixty  days,  shortly  before  adjourning  at 
Philadelphia.  On  November  14,  these 
powers  were  renewed.  On  December  10, 
this  body  urged  that  Washington  should 
take  advantage  of  all  the  powers  with  which 
he  was  entrusted,  for  the  purpose  of  secur- 
ing provisions  and  clothing  in  the  region 
where  they  were  now  in  camp.  The  Ameri- 
can army  was  then  in  camp  at  White 
Marsh,  fourteen  miles  northwest  of  Phila- 
delphia. Thomas  Smith,  commissioner  of 
the  Pennsylvania  loan  office,  was  ordered  to 
give  the  clothier-general  $12,000  for  the  use 
of  General  Wayne's  brigade  of  Pennsyl- 
vania troops,  who  had  recently  fought  so 
valiantly  at  Paoli  and  Germantown. 

On  December  11,  Abraham 
Barracks  Clark,  delegate  from  Xew  Jer- 
at  York,     sey,  was  sworn  in  as  a  member 

of  Congress.  On  this  day. 
Congress  voted  that  barracks  be  erected  in 
York  for  the  accommodation  of  troops,  "as 
may  be  from  time  to  time  stationed  or  de- 
tained, either  as  guards  or  for  the  purpose 
of  equipment  or  discipline."  December  12, 
a  letter  from  President  Laurens  was  read 
to  Congress,  in  which  he  asked  to  be  re- 
lieved from  the  office  of  President  because 
of  ill  health.  Xo  action  was  taken  on  this 
letter  and  Laurens  was  persuaded  to  re- 
main in  his  office,  although  he  was  unable 
to  attend  the  sessions  for  several  days. 

On  December  13,  Francis  Lewis,  of  Xew 
York,  ^^'illiam  EUery,  of  Rhode  Island,  and 


Cornelius  Harnett,  of  Xorth  Carolina,  were 
added  to  the  Committee  on  Commerce. 
General  Thomas  Conway,  an  Irish  soldier, 
who  had  received  military  training  in 
Europe,  was  appointed  inspector-general  'of 
the  army.  At  the  same  time,  he  was  raised 
to  the  rank  of  major-general. 

From   the   time   Congress   came  to 

Smith     York,  on  September  30,  to  Decem- 

Takes     ber     16,     General  •  Roberdeau,     of 

His       Philadelphia,  was  the  only  delegate 

Seat.      present    from     Pennsylvania.       On 

this  date,  James  Smith,  of  York, 
who  had  served  during  the  year  1776  and 
had  signed  the  Declaration  of  Indepen- 
dence, took  his  seat  and  was  sworn  into 
office.  Congress  decided  to  meet  twice  a 
day.  On  December  17,  Rev.  John  Wither- 
spoon,  an  eminent  clergyman  of  Xew  Jer- 
sc}-,  and  president  of  Princeton  College, 
took  his  seat  in  Congress.  Jonathan  B. 
Smith,  another  delegate  from  Pennsylvania, 
took  his  seat  in  Congress. 

Colonel  Rawlins,  of  the  army,  and  others 
appeared  before  Congress  and  reported  that 
the  American  prisoners  in  the  hands  of  the 
British,  in  Xew  York  and  elsewhere,  were 
being  badly  treated.  It  was  also  reported 
that  Sir  \\'illiam  Howe,  in  command  of  the 
British  army  at  Philadelphia,  demanded 
that  Congress  or  the  states  should  furnish 
the  means  or  provisions  for  feeding  the 
American  prisoners.  General  Howe  had 
refused  to  accept  continental  money  for  the 
purchase  of  provisions.  Congress,  there- 
fore, asked  that  provisions  be  sent  and  not 
money. 

December  20.  an  amount  of  money  ag- 
gregating S6oo,ooo  was  appropriated  for  the 
use  of  W  illiam  Buchanan,  commissary- 
general  of  purchases,  for  the  southern, 
eastern  and  northern  departments  of  the 
army,  and  $200,000  was  voted  to  the  State 
of  Connecticut  for  purchasing  provisions 
for  the  soldiers. 

There  were  no  sessions  from  De- 
Batwell,      cember     21     to     December     27, 
the  when,  on  the  latter  date,  a  letter 

Loyalist,  from  Rev.  Daniel  Batwell,  rector 
of  the  Episcopal  churches  at 
York,  Carlisle  and  York  Springs,  was  read 
before  Congress.  Owing  to  his  declared 
loyalty  to  the  English  crown,  he  had  been 
arrested,  dipped  in  the  Codorus  Creek  and 
sent  to  the  county   jail.      In   the   letter   to 


20 


3o6 


HISTORY    OF   YORK   COUNTY.    PKXXSYL\'AXT.\ 


Congress,  he  claimed  that  this  imprison- 
ment liad  impaired  his  healtli.  He  wished 
to  be  set  free  on  parole  and  go  to  his  resi- 
dence at  York  Springs.  Dr.  Henry,  sur- 
geon at  the  jail  and  for  the  prisoners,  testi- 
fied that  Rev.  Daniel  Batwell  "labors 
under  a  complication  of  disorders  and  that 
pure  air  and  exercise  are  absolutely  neces- 
sary for  his  recovery."  Congress  passed  a 
resolution  releasing  the  prisoner  and  per- 
mitting him  to  go  to  his  farm,  providing  he 
would  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the 
State  of  Pennsylvania;  or  upon  his  refusal, 
was  allowed  to  go  with  his  family  within 
the  British  lines  at  Philadelphia.  Some 
time  later,  Mr.  Batwell  went  to  Philadel- 
phia, and  in  the  fall  of  1778,  was  appointed 
chaplain  of  a  Tory  regiment,  serving  in  the 
British  army. 

Benjamin  Harrison,  Jr.,  son  of  Benjamin 
Harrison,  delegate  to  Congress,  was  voted 
$50,000  to  be  used  by  him,  as  deputy  pay- 
master-general for  the  troops  of  the  State 
of  Virginia.  Letters  received  from  General 
Washington,  describing  the  condition  of 
his  troops  then  going  into  camp  at  Valley 
Forge,  were  placed  in  charge  of  the  Board 
of  War  on  December  29.  On  the  following 
day,  \A'ashington  was  re-invested  with  dic- 
tatorial powers,  which  had  been  granted 
him  when  Philadelphia  was  evacuated. 
Colonel  John  Williams,  of  North  Carolina, 
was  voted  $5,898,  for  the  purpose  of  paying 
the  ofBcers  and  recruits  of  the  several  bat- 
talions from  the  State  of  Virginia,  quar- 
tered at  York,  by  order  of  the  Board  of 
^^'ar.  These  troops  were  encamped  on  the 
Public  Common  in  the  barracks  recently 
erected.  They  were  performing  guard 
duty,  during  the  winter  months,  while  York 
was  the  seat  of  go\'ernment. 

PROCEEDINGS  IN   1778. 

Sessions  of  Congress  opened  on  January 
I,  1778,  with  uncertain  conditions  for  the 
year.  The  British  occupied  Philadelphia, 
under  command  of  Sir  William  Howe;  Sir 
Henry  Clinton  was  in  command  of  the  city 
of  New  Y^ork ;  Washington  was  in  camp  at 
Valley  Forge.  The  state  militia,  or  at  least 
a  large  part  of  it,  had  returned  home,  await- 
ing a  future  call  to  active  service.  Bur- 
goyne's  troops,  nearly  6,000  in  number, 
were  still  held  as  prisoners  of  war  near 
Boston.     During  the  year   1777,  there  had 


Ijeen  only  one  brilliant  success  to  the 
American  arms.  This  was  the  capture  of 
the  British  army  under  Burgoyne  at  Sara- 
toga. It  was  true,  Henry  Laurens,  presi- 
dent of  Congress,  had  issued  a  national 
Thanksgiving  proclamation  during  the  pre- 
ceding month,  but  the  condition  of  affairs 
was  still  dark  and  foreboding.  The  success 
of  the  British  at  Brandywine,  Germantown 
and  Paoli  was  received  with  public  favor  in 
England. 

It  was  hoped  by  the  patriots  of 
Seeking     the  Revolution  that  the  victory  at 
Aid  Saratoga  and  the  capture  of  6,000 

From  troops  might  influence  some  for- 
France.  eign  power  to  recognize  the 
American  government.  England 
and  France  had  been  involved  in  a  war 
which  caused  embitterment  -between  these 
nations.  It  was  to  Benjamin  Franklin  and 
his  associates  at  Paris,  that  Congress  now 
looked  with  hope.  Could  he  obtain  the 
support  of  the  youthful  King  of  France, 
Louis  XVI?  This  was  the  subject  often 
discussed  by  the  small  body  of  American 
patriots  wdio  were  then  holding  the  ses- 
sions of  Congress  in  the  Provincial  Court 
House  at  Y'ork.  Very  few  tidings  had  yet 
been  received  from  Franklin,  who  had 
alread}'  become  a  central  figure  at  the  Court 
of  Iving  Louis  of  France.  It  required 
several  months  for  communications  from 
him  to  cross  the  ocean  to  Portsmouth,  New 
I^anipshire,  or  Boston,  ^Massachusetts,  and 
from  thence  conveyed  overland  across  the 
Hudson  at  Fishkill,  New  York,  through 
Bethlehem  and  Reading  to  the  seat  of  gov- 
ernment at  York.  Such  was  the  condition 
of  affairs  when  Continental  Congress 
began  its  duties  in  January,  1778.  There 
were  then  about  thirty-two  delegates 
present.  .Vll  of  the  thirteen  states  were 
now  represented. 

On  New  Year's  day,  the  Chevalier  de 
Villefranche,  a  somewhat  noted  engineer  of 
France,  decided  that  he  would  remain  in 
this  country.  He  had  served  with  a  corps 
of  engineers  in  the  American  army,  and 
was  now  raised  to  the  rank  of  major  and 
assigned  to  duty  under  the  command  of 
Brigadier  du  Portail.  A  communication 
from  Baron  de  Kalb,  a  German  nobleman, 
who,  upon  the  endorsement  of  Washington, 
was  created  a  major-general  in  the  army, 
was   read;   also   one   from    Lewis   Casimer, 


COX'l'IXEX'IWI.   CONGRESS   AT   YORK  307 

* 

l'.aroii  (le  llolzendorf.     It  was  the  custom  while  the  Britisli  arnn-  was  in  and  around 

of  Congress    to    pay    careful    attention    to  Philadelphia. 

communications  from  distinguished  for-  On  January  12,  General  Gates, 
eigners  and  these  were  referred  to  the  Sent  General  Thomas  Mifflin  and  Colo- 
Board  of  War  for  appropriate  action.  to         nel  Timothy    Pickering    were    ap- 

Massachusetts    usualh-    had    the    largest  Valley     pointed  a  committee    to    visit    the 

delegation   in   Congress   at   York,    and    on  Forge.     American  army  at  Vallej'    Forge. 

January  I.  the  credentials  of  John  Hancock,  The    vessels     which     had     arrived 

Samuel    Adams.    John    Adams.    Robert    T.  from  England  to  transport  the  British  and 

Paine,   Elbridge   Gerry,   Francis   Dana  and  Hessian  troops  to  England,  were  ordered  by 

James  Lovell  were  presented  to  Congress.  Congress  to  quit  the  ports  of  Massachusetts. 

John  Hancock,  who  had  served  as  President  Congress  decided  to  annul  the   agreement 

the  first  month  of  its  sessions  at  York,  did  made  at  Saratoga,  and  hold  the  soldiers  as 

not  return  until   May.      John    Adams,    al-  prisoners  of  war.     It  was  further  resolved 

though  re-elected,  at  this  time  was  on  his  that  1,500  American   troops   be   ordered   to 

way   as   a   special   ambassador   to  join   the  guard  these  prisoners    then    in    camp    near 

American  commissioners  at  Paris.     Benja-  Boston  until  the  British  vessels  had  left  the 

min  Franklin,  one    of    the    delegates    from  port. 

Pennsylvania,  nex'er  attended  the  sessions  On  January  13,  it  was  resolved  that  "Gen- 

at  York.     During  this  whole  period  he  was  eral  \\'ashington  require  of  General  Howe 

in  Paris.  passports  for  American  vessels  to  transport 

On  January  3.  the  sum  of  $200,000  was  to  Boston  provisions    for    the    use    of    the 

appropriated     for     the     use     of     Jonathan  prisoners  of  Burgoyne's,  army,  during  the 

Trumbull,  Jr..  as  paymaster  of  the  military  time  this  army  shall  be  detained  in  Massa- 

department  emliracing  New  York  and  the  chusetts."' 

Xew  England  States.     He  was  the  son  of  On  January  14.  Dr.  John  Houston,  resid- 

Jonathan  Trumbull,  of  Connecticut,  known  ing  east  of  York    near    the    Susquehanna, 

to  history  as  "Brother  Jonathan."     During  obtained  a  warrant  for  pay  as  surgeon  of 

this  month  long  discussions  arose  in  refer-  Colonel     Donaldson's     Battalion    of    York 

ence  to  the  agreement  between  Gates  and  County     militia,     serving     under     General 

Burgoj'ne   when   the  latter  surrendered   at  I'llercer.     The    Board    of    War    was    voted 

Saratoga.     The  sum  of  $62,000  was  appro-  $350,000.     The  sum  of  $100,000  was  to  be 

priated  for  a  (]uantity  of  sulphur,  saltpetre  sent   to   Ebenezer    Hancock,    deputy    pay- 

and  lead  purchased  from  Blair  ]\IcClenachan  master-general  at  Boston,  and  $250,000  to 

and  James  Caldwell,  and  deposited  in  care  his  assistant  in  the  state  of  Rhode  Island, 

of  Leonard  Jarvis  at  Dartmouth,  Massachu-  At  the  same  time  $750,000  was  voted  to  the 

setts.  Board  of  War,  to  be  transmitted,  $500,000 

January  6,  Colonel  James  Wilkinson,  who  to  William  Palfrey,  paymaster-general,  and 

had  brought  to  Congress  the  news  of  the  $200,000  to  William   Bedlow,  his  assistant 

surrender  of  Burgoyne  and  his  army,  was  at  Peekskill. 

elected  secretary  of  the  Board  of  War.  On  January  15,  it  was  resohcd  to  pur- 
January  7.  letters  were  received  from  Gen-  chase  30.000  barrels  of  flour,  or  wheat 
eral  A\'ashington  and  General  Thomas  equivalent  to  be  ground  into  flour,  and  sent 
Conway  in  reference  to  a  controversy  which  in  different  quantities  to  the  towns  of  Lan- 
afterwards  terminated  in  what  is  known  as  caster,  Reading,  Bethlehem,  Downingtown 
the  "Conway  Cabal."  On  January  8,  the  and  Pottsgrove.  On  January  16,  it  w'as  re- 
sum  of  $1,000,000  of  Continental  money  solved  to  borrow  $10,000,000  on  the  credit 
was  ordered-  to  be  printed  under  act  of  of  the  United  States  at  an  annual  interest 
Congress  passed  May  20.  1777.  On  Janu-  of  six  per  cent.  On  January  19,  Captain 
ary  10,  a  letter  was  received  from  General  Ephraim  Pennington,  commanding  a  de- 
Washington  recommending  Major  John  tachment  of  York  County  militia,  appointed 
Clark,  of  York,  to  the  attention  of  Congress,  as  guards  to  the  public  stores  in  the  town 
Major  Clark  had  performed  some  brilliant  of  York,  was  issued  a  warrant  for  the  pay- 
feats  as  chief  of  scouts  in  the  fall  of  1777.  ment  of  rations. 


3o8 


HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUXTY,   PEXXSYLVAXIA 


On    January    20,    a    letter    was 
Schuyler's     read      from      General      Philip 

Letter.  Schuyler,  asking  for  a  "speedy 
inquiry  into  his  conduct,"  while 
he  was  in  command  of  the  northern  army 
Ijefore  he  was  superseded  by  Gates.  Stu- 
dents of  history  generally  accredit  Schuyler 
with  having  laid  the  plans  for  the  conquest 
and  capture  of  Burgoyne  at  Saratoga.  He 
was  removed  from  his  position  by  a  faction 
in  Congress  before  he  had  an  opportunity 
to  show  his  military  skill. 

On  January  22.  Congress  resolved  to  emit 
$2,000,000  of  continental  currency  under 
act  of  Congress  passed  May  20,  1777.  On 
the  same  day  Congress  took  into  considera- 
tion an  expedition  to  Canada  under  a  plan 
proposed  by  General  Gates,  president  of  the 
Board  of  War. '  This  plan  was  to  place 
(General  Lafayette  in  charge  of  the  expedi- 
tion, General  Thomas  Conway  second  in 
command,  and  John  Stark,  the  hero  of  Ben- 
nington, brigadier-general. 

On  January  23, 'a  committee  of  Congress, 
composed  of  James  Smith,  of  York;  \^'il- 
liam  Ellery,  of  Rhode  Island,  and  Eliphalet 
Dyer,  of  Connecticut,  was  appointed  to  take 
into  consideration  the  wants  of  the  army, 
as  reported  by  the  military  committee 
which  had  visited  Valley  Forge.  January 
28,  the  auditor-general  reported  that  pay  is 
due  Captain  Benjamin  \VilIiams,  paymaster 
of  a  detachment  of  several  regiments  of  Vir- 
ginia troops,  then  in  York.  On  January 
31,  the  military  committee  that  visited  Val- 
ley Forge,  reported  the  necessity  of  ap- 
pointing a  quartermaster-general  for  the 
army.  The  aggregate  amount  of  money 
voted  to  different  departments  of  the  army 
during  the  last  few  days  of  January,  was 
about  $500,000. 

On      February     3,      Congress 
Oath  of        passed  an  important    measure 
Allegiance,     requiring    every    officer    who 
held  or  would  hold  a  commis- 
sion or  office  from  Congress  to  take  the  fol- 
lowing oath : 

"I  do  acknowledge  the  United  States  of 
-Vmerica  to  be  free,  independent  and  sover- 
eign states,  and  declare  that  the  people 
thereof  ow'e  no  allegiance  or  obedience  to 
George  the  Third,  king  of  Great  Britain, 
and  I  renounce,  refuse  and  abjure  any 
allegiance  or  obedience  to  him,  and  I  do 
swear  or  af^rm  that  I  will,  to  the  utmost  of 


my  power,  support,  maintain  and  defend  the 
said  United  States  against  the  said  King 
George  the  Third,  and  his  heirs  and  their 
abettors,  assistants  and  adherents,  and  will 
serve  the  said  United  States  in  the  office  of 
which  I  now  hold  fidelity,  according  to  the 
best  of  my  skill  and  understanding.  So  help 
me  God." 

On  February  4,  Congress  resolved  to  ap- 
point Monsieurs  Goy,  Pierre,  Boichard, 
Parrison,  and  Niverd,  captains  of  artillery 
in  the  continental  army,  and  receive  ap- 
pointments of  that  command  while  in 
America.  On  the  following  day  a  commit- 
tee of  Congress  interviewed  these  officers, 
then  in  York,  in  reference  to  promises  made 
by  the  American  commissioners  at  Paris, 
concerning  their  expenses  until  appointed 
to  service  in  the  army.  On  February  6, 
Major  John  Clark  and  Matthew  Clarkson 
were  appointed  auditors  for  the  army  under 
command  of  General  Washington. 

General  Horatio  Gates,  who  had 
Gates  arrived  at  York,  January  19,  to  take 
in  the  position  as  president  of  the 
York.  Board  of  A\'ar,  took  up  quarters 
first  in  a  public  inn  of  the  town.  On 
February  11,  he  asked  for  an  appropriation 
of  $1,333  to  pay  the  current  expenses  of  his 
aide-de-camp  and  secretary.  Later  General 
Gates  rented  a  private  residence  on  the 
north  side  of  Market  near  Water  Street, 
which  he  occupied  until  he  left  York,  in 
April,  1778. 

On  the  same  day.  Colonel  Hartley's  regi- 
ment, then  acting  as  guard  to  Congress, 
received  two  months'  pay.  February  16,  it 
was  resolved  to  print  $2,000,000  of  Conti- 
nental money.  On  February  26,  Congress 
took  up  the  question  of  the  exchange  of 
prisoners  in  accordanccwith  an  agreement 
made  between  General  Washington  and  Sir 
William  Howe,  commanding  the  British 
army  in  America.  The  plan  proposed  was 
to  exchange  "officer  for  officer,  soldier  for 
soldier,  citizen  for  citizen  so  far  as  number 
and  rank  will  apply."  It  Avas  decided  by  a 
resolution  that  the  several  states  be  re- 
quired "forthwith  to  fill  up  by  draft  from 
their  militia,  or  in  an}-  other  way  that  shall 
be  effectual,  their  respecti\-e  battalions  of 
continental  troops.  All  persons  drafted 
shall  serve  in  the  continental  battalions  for 
their  respective  states  for  the  term  of  nine 
months."     During  the  month  of  Februarv, 


RESIDENCE  OF  MAJOR  JOHxN  CLARK   AT  THE  SOrTH\\  EST  CORNER   OF 
MARKET  AND  BEAVER  STREETS 


SAMPLE   OF    CONTINENTAL    NOTE,    PRINTED    IN    1778.    ON    THE   SECOND 
FLOOR  OF  MAJOR  CLARK'S  RESIDENCE 


COX'ITXEXTAL   CONGRESS   AT   YORK 


309 


in  various  amounts,  $1,325,000  were  appro- 
priated for  tlie  use  of  the  army. 

On  Marcli  4,  1778,  Congress  gave  Wash- 
ington power  to  '"employ  in  the  service  of 
the  United  States  a  body  of  Indians,  not 
exceeding  400."  On  March  5,  the  sum  of 
$2,000,000  was  ordered  to  be  issued  under 
the  authority  of  the  United  States.  On 
?klarch  6,  Thomas  Scott,  member  of  the  Su- 
preme Executive  Council  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  James  McLean  and  R.  White,  delegates 
from  the  State  Assembly,  then  in  session  at 
Lancaster,  waited  upon  Congress  in  refer- 
ence to  the  establishment  of  magazines  of 
commissary  stores  for  the  army,  and  also 
on  the  subject  of  the  British  prisoners  in 
\^irginia.  On  March  10,  Peter  Shultz  re- 
ceived $548  for  transporting  the  baggage 
of  the  York  County  militia,  commanded  by 
Colonel  Michael  Swope,  from  York  to  the 
army  in  New  Jersey,  in  July,  1776.  On  the 
same  day,  Martin  Brenise,  of  York,  re- 
ceived $153  for  attendance  upon  Congress, 
from  the  first  of  December,  1777,  to  the  first 
of  ]\larch,  1778,  at  one-third  dollar  per  day, 
and  for  ringing  the  bell,  at  two-thirds  dollar 
per  day.  On  March  19,  owing  to  the 
threatened  attack  of  Indians  and  Tories,  500 
Pennsylvania  militia  were  ordered  to  be 
sent  to  Easton,  Bethlehem,  and  Reading, 
to  guard  the  government  magazines. 

On  March  2t,,  John  Spangler,  George 
Pentz  and  Jacob  Lefever  received  pay  for 
transporting  baggage  of  the  Pennsylvania 
militia,  while  on  the  way  to  the  army. 
Peter  Wolf,  tavern  keeper,  of  West  Man- 
chester Township.  recei\-ed  pay  for  feeding 
militia  passing  through  York  County. 
March  27.  ]\Iajor  John  Clark,  of  York,  one 
of  the  auditors  of  the  army,  received  $Soo 
to  pay  contingent  expenses  of  his  ofifice. 

On  April  4,  $1,000,000  of  conti- 
Pulaski's  nental  money  was  ordered  to  be 
Legion.  printed  at  York.  General  Wash- 
ington was  empowered  to  call 
out  5.000  militia,  from  the  states  of  Mary- 
land. Pennsyhania  and  New  Jersey,  to  re- 
main in  service  for  such  time  as  he  shall 
recommend.  On  April  6,  Congress  \oted 
that  the  sum  of  $50,000  be  advanced  by  the 
Board  of  War  to  Count  Pulaski,  who  had 
been  made  a  brigadier-general  in  the  Ameri- 
can army.  Even'  man  who  enlisted  in  his 
command  was  to  receive  $130.  including  the 
bountv  money.     Each  trooper  and  member 


of  the  light  infantry  was  to  receive  one 
stock,  one  cap,  one  pair  of  breeches,  one 
coat,  two  pairs  of  stockings,  two  pairs  of 
gaiters,  three  pairs  of  shoes,  one  pair  of 
buckles,  spear  and  cartridge  box.  Each 
trooper  was  also  to  receive  a  pair  of  boots. 
a  saddle,  halters,  curry-comb  and  brush, 
picket  cord,  and  pack  saddle.  Count 
Pulaski  came  to  York  in  1778  and  partially 
recruited  his  legion  here,  before  going 
south.  He  was  killed  soon  afterward  in  an 
engagement  at  Savannah,  Georgia. 

On  April  9,  the  question  of  Congress  re- 
moving to  some  other  place  was  discussed. 
The  following  Saturday  was  set  as  the  time 
to  take  into  consideration  the  necessity  of 
going  to  some  more  convenient  place.  The 
British  still  held  Philadelphia,  the  State 
Assembly  was  in  session  at  Lancaster,  and 
not  \ery  friendly  toward  Congress,  so  the 
subject  of  removal  was  not  further  con- 
sidered. 

On  A])ril  11,  Congress  voted 
New  unanimously  to  emit  $5,000,000  in 
Issue       bills  of  credit  on  the  faith  of  the 

of  L^nited    States.      It    was    ordered 

Money,     that  new  cuts  be  made  for  striking 
ofT    and    printing    them,  and    that 
the  form  of  the  bills  should  be  as  follows : 

"This  bill  entitles  the  bearer  to  receive 

Spanish  milled  dollars,  or  the  value 

thereof  in  gold  or  silver,  according  to  a 
resolution  passed  by  Congress  at  York. 
April  II,  1778."  This  issue  is  known  to  the 
collectors  of  Continental  money  as  the 
"Yorktown  notes."  They  are  the  rarest 
specimens  of  Continental  money  because  of 
the  successful  attempt  to  counterfeit  them. 
For  this  reason  Congress  ordered  a  large 
number  of  these  notes  to  be  destroyed. 

It  was  ordered  that  the  thirteen  United 
States  be  pledged  for  the  redemption  of 
these  bills  of  credit.  The  Franklin  Press, 
then  in  ^'ork.  by  order  of  Congress,  wa'^ 
used  in  printing  Continental  money.  At 
least  $10,000,000.  under  a  preceding  act,  had 
been  printed  at  York  before  the  act  of  April 
II.  1778.  had  been  passed.  At  this  time 
paper  money  had  greatly  depreciated.  It 
was  worth  about  thirty  cents  on  a  dollar. 
Before  the  war  had  ended,  in  1783,  Congress 
had  issued  over  $300,000,000  in  Continental 
money.  In  1781  one  dollar  in  silver  as  a 
base  was  worth  forty  dollars  in  paper 
money.     In   1783  the  paper  money  was  al- 


;io 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY.   PEXXSYLVAXIA 


most  worthless.     The  government  never  re- 
deemed it. 

On  April   13,  Colonel  Thomas 

Hartley's  Hartley  was  given  authority  to 
Regiment,  raise  a  new  regiment  from 
different  parts  of  Pennsylvania. 
This  regiment  was  to  be  organized  to 
march  against  the  Indians  and  Tories  who 
had  been  committing  depredations  in 
northern  Pennsylvania  and  southern  New 
York. 

April  15,  Congress  ordered  that  Major- 
General  Gates  proceed  to  Fishkill,  New 
York,  to  take  charge  of  the  American 
troops  at  that  point,  and  prevent  the 
British  in  New  York  from  going  up  the 
Hudson.  At  this  period  General  Gates  was 
still  at  York  as  president  of  the  Board  of 
War,  having  succeeded  John  Adams,  of 
ilassachusetts,  as  the  head  of  that  impor- 
tant body. 

On  April  17,  the  sum  of  $1,500,000  was 
advanced  to  Jeremiah  Wadsmith,  commis- 
sary-general of  purchases  for  the  army. 
On  the  following  day  Congress  ordered  the 
Franklin  printing  press,  then  in  York  and 
operated  in  a  building  belonging  to  Major 
^  John  Clark,  at  the  southwest  corner  of 
^Market  and  Beaver  Streets,  to  begin  print- 
ing $500,000  of  Continental  money,  in  ac- 
cordance with  an  act  recently  passed. 

On  April  18,  General  A^'ashing•- 

Overtures     ton,  at  Valley  Forge,  wrote  a 

From         letter  and  also  sent  important 

England.  documents  to  Congress.  The 
messenger  arrived  on  April  20. 
One  of  these  documents  purported  to  "be 
the  draft  of  a  bill  for  declaring  the  inten- 
tions of  the  Parliament  of  Great  Britain  as 
to  the  exercise  of  what  they  are  pleased  to 
term  their  right  of  imposing  taxes  within 
these  United  States;  and  also  the  draft  of  a 
bill  to  enable  the  King  of  Great  Britain  to 
appoint  commissioners  w'ith  powers  to 
treat,  consult  and  agree  upon  the  means  of 
quieting  certain  disorders  wnthin  the  said 
states."  President  Laurens  appointed  Gov- 
erneur  Morris,  of  New  York:  AA'illiam 
Henry  Drayton,  of  South  Carolina,  and 
Francis  Dana,  of  Massachusetts,  a  com- 
mittee to  examine  these  documents  and 
report  to  Congress.  Upon  its  report  to 
Congress,  this  committee  stated  that  it 
could  not  decide  whether  these  papers 
emanated   from   England   or   whether   thev 


were  prepared  for  the  purpose  of  deluding 
Congress,  by  some  schemers  in  Philadel- 
phia, which  was  then  in  possession  of  the 
British.  The  members  of  the  committee, 
however,  persuaded  themselves  to  believe 
that  they  were  valid  documents  and  came 
by  authority  of  Parliament,  which  body 
would  take  into  favorable  consideration  the 
action  of  Congress  upon  them.  They  be- 
lie\ed  this  statement  because  General 
Howe  "has  made  divers  feeble  efforts  to  set 
on  foot  some  kind  of  treaty,  during  the  last 
winter;"  because  the  British  supposed  that 
the  "fallacious  idea  of  a  cessation  of  hostili- 
ties will  render  these  states  remiss  in  their 
preparation  for  war;"  because,  believing  the 
Americans  w-earied  with  war,  they  suppose 
"we  will  accede  to  their  terms  for  the  sake 
of  peace;"  that  the  cessation  of  hostilities 
"will  prevent  foreign  powers  from  giving 
aid  to  these  states;  that  it  will  lead  their 
own  subjects  to  continue  a  little  longer  the 
present  w^ar;  and  that  it  will  detach  some 
weak  men  in  America  from  the  cause  of 
freedom  and  virtue;  because  the  king,  from 
his  own  showing,  hath  reason  to  apprehend 
that  his  fleets  and  armies,  instead  of  being 
employed  against  the  territories  of  these 
states,  will  be  necessary  for  the  defence  of 
his  own  dominions.  Because  the  imprac- 
ticability of  subjugating  this  country  being 
every  day  more  and  more  manifest,  it  is  to 
their  interest  to  extricate  themselves  from 
the  war  upon  any  terms."  The  committee 
reported  in  detail  what  they  termed  the 
weakness  and  insincerity  of  the  British 
crown,  and  concluded  its  report  with  a 
masterly  presentation  of  the  question,  writ- 
ten in  such  forcible  and  elegant  English 
that  it  is  herewith  presented : 

"From  all  which    it    appears 
Committee's     evident    to   your    committee. 
Report.  that    the    said    bills    are    in- 

tended to  operate  upon  the 
hopes  and  fears  of  the  good  people  of  these 
states,  so  as  to  create  divisions  among  them 
and  a  defection  from  the  common  cause, 
now,  by  the  blessing  of  Divine  Providence, 
drawing  near  to  a  favorable  issue ;  that  they 
are  the  sequel  of  that  insidious  plan  which, 
from  the  days  of  the  stamp  act  down  to  the 
present  time,  hath  involved  this  country  in 
contention  and  bloodshed,-  and  that  as  in 
other  cases  so  in  this,  although  circum- 
stances may  force  them  at  times,  to  recede 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS  AT  YORl 


3" 


from  their  unjustifiable  claims,  there  can  be 
no  doubt,  but  they  will  as  heretofore  upon 
the  first  favorable  occasion,  again  display 
that  lust  of  domination  which  hath  rent  in 
twain  the  mighty  empire  of  Britain. 

"Upon  the  whole  matter,  the  committee 
beg  leave  to  report  it  as  their  opinion,  that 
as  the  Americans,  united  in  this  arduous 
contest  upon  principles  of  common  interest. 
for  the  defense  of  common  rights  and 
privileges,  which  union  hath  been  ce- 
mented by  common  calamities  and  by  mut- 
ual good  offices  and  affections;  do  the. 
great  cause,  for  which  they  contend,  and  in 
which  all  mankind  are  interested,  must  de- 
rive its  success  from  the  continuance  of 
that  union ;  wherefore  any  men  or  body  of 
men,  who  should  presume  to  make  any 
separate  or  partial  convention  or  agree- 
ment with  commissioners  under  the  crown 
of  Great  Britain,  or  any  of  them,  ought  to 
be  considered  and  treated  as  open  and 
avowed  enemies  of  these  United  States. 

"And  further,  the  committee  beg  leave 
to  report  it  as  their  opinion,  that  these 
United  States  cannot,  with  propriety,  hold 
any  conference  or  treaty  with  any  commis- 
sioners on  the  part  of  Great  Britain,  unless 
they  shall,  as  a  preliminary  thereto,  either 
withdraw  their  fleets  and  armies  or  else,  in 
positive  and  expressed  terms  acknowledge 
the  independence  of  the  said  states. 

"And  inasmuch  as  it  appears  to  be  the 
design  of  the  enemies  of  these  states  to  lull 
them  into  a  fatal  security,  to  the  end  that 
they  may  act  with  a  becoming  weight  and 
importance,  it  is  the  opinion  of  your  com- 
mittee, that  the  several  states  be  called 
upon,  to  use  the  most  strenuous  exertions, 
to  have  their  respective  quotas  of  conti- 
nental troops  in  the  field  as  soon  as  possible 
and  that  all  the  militia  of  the  said  states 
may  be  held  in  readiness  to  act  as  occasion 
ma}--  require." 

The  proposition  by  Parliament  to  enter 
into  a  treaty  with  the  American  states  at 
this  time  is  suggestive.  France  was  about 
to  declare  war  against  England.  Benjamin 
Franklin,  the  American  commissioner  at 
Paris,  early  in  March,  on  behalf  of__the 
United  States,  had  already  entered  into  a 
treaty  of  Amity  and  Commerce  and  a  treaty 
Alliance  with  Louis  XVL  the  King  of 
France.  He  had  received  the  promise  that 
the  French  would  not  onlv  recognize  that 


the  United  States  had  the  right  of  belliger- 
ency,^but  would  also  send  a  fleet  and  army 
to  aid  in  the  cause  for  American  inde- 
pendence. Some  months  later  the  fleet, 
under  Count  d'Estiang,  landed  on  the  coast 
of  Rhode  Island.  Lord  North,  the  prime 
minister  of  England,  had  sent  a  communi- 
cation to  Franklin  at  Paris,  asking  the 
privilege  of  a  conference  with  him  on  the 
American  war.  Franklin  responded  to  the 
emissary,  "Tell  Lord  North  that  America 
has  already  gained  her  independence." 

At  this  period  New  York 
Washington's  and  Philadelphia  were  both 
Determination,  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 
Washington  had  been  de- 
feated at  Brandywine  and  Germantown  and 
his  small  armj-  was  wintering  at  Valley 
Forge.  There  were  many  Americans  origi- 
nally in  favor  of  independence  who  had 
joined  the  ranks  of  the  enemy.  Especially 
was  this  the  case  in  New  Jersey,  a  part  of 
New  York  and  eastern  Pennsylvania.  This 
led  the  British  emissaries  who  had  been 
sent  to  Philadelphia  to  believe  that  Wash- 
ington and  Congress  would  accept  over- 
tures of  peace.  But  the  general  of  the  army 
had  written  to  Congress  that  if  peace  was 
then  decided  upon  it  would  not  be  lasting. 
He  asserted  that  he  would  keep  his  little 
army  together  and  fight  the  British  in  the 
mountains  of  Virginia  and  Pennsylvania, 
rather  than  accept  overtures  from  the 
British  crown  at  this  time  in  the  war.  Al- 
though there  was  factional  opposition  in 
Congress  to  Washington  and  there  were 
many  people  in  the  United  States  who  felt 
like  accepting  some  kind  of  proposition 
from  England  to  end  the  war,  the  great 
soldier  now  exerted  his  reserve  power. 

General  Washington,  in  camp 
Planning       at  Valley  Forge,  had  begun  to 
a  lay  plans  for  a  summer    cam- 

Campaign,     paign  against  the  enemy,  still 

quartered  in  Philadelphia. 
Owing  to  the  failure  to  make  conciliatory 
terms  with  Congress,  there  were  evidences 
that  the  British  would  soon  leave  Philadel- 
phia. The  state  militia  had  been  called  out 
to  join  in  the  campaign  of  1778.  On  April 
23,  Congress  resolved  that  extraordinary 
powers  vested  in  General  Washington  by 
the  resolutions  of  September  17,  October  8 
and  December  10.  1777,  be  renewed  and 
extended   to  August    10,    1778.     This   gave 


31- 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


him  control  of  the  army  with  authority  to 
remove  officers  for  inefficiency,  and  pro- 
mote officers  for  valorous  deeds  in  military 
achievements.  It  was  at  this  period  that 
the  star  of  fame  of  General  \Vashington 
began  to  rise,  and  so  continued  until  it 
reached  its  zenith  at  the  surrender  of  Corn- 
wallis  at  Yorktown,  in  October,  1781. 
Charles  Carroll,  of  Maryland ;  William 
Duer,  of  New  York,  and  John  Banister,  of 
Virginia,  were  appointed  a  committee  to 
notify  Washington  of  the  resolutions  of 
Congress.  On  April  24,  Nathaniel  Greene, 
then  quartermaster-general  of  the  army, 
was  voted  $50,000  for  his  department.  The 
sum  of  $30,000  was  voted  to  the  state  of 
Maryland  to  aid  in  recruiting  continental 
troops. 

As  the  summer  campaign  was  expected  to 
be  in  New  Jersey,  it  was  ordered  that  the 
Board  of  AVar  take  the  most  expeditious 
measures  for  transporting  provisions  and 
stores  from  the  southern  states  across  the 
Chesapeake  Bay.  The  states  of  Maryland 
and  Virginia  were  ordered  to  utilize  the 
armed  galleys  on  the  Chesapeake  Bay  in 
transporting  these  provisions  and  stores 
and  that  the  galleys  should  be  under  the 
command  of  an  officer  of  the  continental 
line.  The  sailors  of  Pennsylvania  were 
ordered  to  Baltimore  for  use  in  manning 
the  galleys. 

On  April  25,  Roger  Sherman,  of 

Sherman  Connecticut,    presented    his    cre- 

Takes      dentials   and   was   sworn   in   as   a 

His  meml:)er.  He  had  served  with  dis- 
Seat.  tinction  in  the  First  Continental 
Congress  which  asseml^led  in 
Philadelphia,  in  1774.  In  1776  he  served 
Jefferson  and  Livingston,  wliich  had 
drafted  the  Declaration  and  presented  it  to 
Congress  for  adoption.  He  was  one  of  the 
signers  of  that  document.  He  was  a  valu- 
able acquisition  to  Congress,  which,  accord- 
ing to  a  yea  and  nay  vote  cast  that  day, 
contained  twenty-seven  members.  Roger 
Sherman  lived  to  the  age  of  seventy-two 
years,  and  died  while  a  member  of  the 
United  States  Senate  from  Connecticut. 

On  this  day  important  communications 
were  received  from  General  Washington. 
General  Heath,  in  command  of  the  forces 
guarding  the  Saratoga  prisoners,  then  in 
camp  near  Boston,  reported  an  agreement 
which  he  had  entered    into    with    General 


Burgoyne  in  reference  to  the  pa\ment  of 
provisions  for  the  British  prisoners  of  Bur- 
goyne's  army.  Congress  discussed  the 
question,  respecting  an  allowance  to  army 
officers  after  tlie  war.  A  motion  was  offered 
and  carried  that  the  officers  of  the  army 
should  be  put  on  half  pay.  Later  in  the 
war,  it  was  decided  to  give  them  public 
lands.  Colonel  Hartley,  in  1785,  was  given 
a  large  tract  of  land  in  the  interior  part  of 
the  state,  and  Colonel  Matthew  Dill,  in  the 
western  part  of  the  state.  Some  officers 
accepted  public  lands  as  bounty  and  culti- 
\'ated  them,  while  others  never  took  ad- 
vantage of  this  opportunity. 

On  April  27,  Congress  showed  its 
Silver  appreciation  of  General  Washing- 
From  ton  by  giving  him  power  to  call 
France,  into  his  council  of  war  the  com- 
mander of  the  artillery,  General 
Knox,  before  making  plans  for  the  summer 
campaign.  An  appropriation  of  $350,000 
was  made  to  Ebenezer  Hancock,  deputy 
paymaster-general  at  Boston,  for  use  in  his 
department.  Congress  ordered  the  Board 
of  War  to  give  directions  to  General  Heath, 
in  command  at  Boston,  how  to  bring  to  the 
United  States  Treasury  at  York,  the  hard 
money  belonging  to  the  government.  This 
resolution  refers  to  the  arrival  at  Boston  of 
$600,000  in  silver  from  France.  It  was  the 
first  silver  loan  of  that  government  to  the 
United  States.  This  money  was  put  in 
charge  of  Captain  James  B.  Fry,  who  had 
been  a  member  of  the  famous  "Boston  Tea 
Partv."  The  wagon  in  which  this  money 
was  brought  to  York,  through  Massachu- 
setts, crossing  the  Hudson  at  Fishkill,  and 
passing  through  Bethlehem  and  Reading, 
arrivecl  at  York  in  charge  of  two  companies 
of  Massachusetts  troops. 

On  April  28,  by  a  vote  of  Congress,  Gen- 
eral Conway  was  permitted  to  resign  his 
commission  in  the  army.  Congress  voted 
$50,000  to  Major  Harry  Lee  to  purchase 
horses  towards  recruiting  and  equipping  his 
cavalry  corps.  The  sum  of  $100,000  was 
appropriated  for  the  benefit  of  the  state  of 
Maryland.  April  29,  Dr.  Nathaniel  Scud- 
der,  delegate  from  New  Jersey:  George 
Plater,  from  Maryland,  and  Thomas 
Adams,  of  Virginia,  were  elected  members 
of  the  marine  committee  to  take  the  places 
of  delegates  who  were  absent.  Congress 
appropriated  $100,000  for  the  vise  of  Colonel 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS  AT  YORK 


313 


Baylor,  of  Virginia,  for  the  purpose  of  pur- 
chasing horses,  arms  and  accoutrements 
for  Major  Lee's  cavalry.  Benjamin  Flower, 
commissary-general  of  military  stores,  was 
voted  $100,000  for  the  use  of  his  depart- 
ment, and  the  sum  of  $350,000  was  voted  to 
Jonathan  Trumbull,  Jr.,  paymaster,  for  the 
use  of  his  department. 

On  May  i,  a  resolution  was 
Lee  Returns  adopted,  excusing  from  the 
to  Congress,  milita  persons  employed  in 
manufacturing  military  stores 
and  other  articles  for  the  use  of  the  United 
States.  On  this  day,  Richard  Henry  Lee. 
who,  in  1776,  was  appointed  chairman  of  the 
committee  to  draft  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence, but  on  account  of  the  sickness  of 
his  wife  declined  in  favor  of  Thomas  Jeffer- 
son, arrived  in  York  and  again  took  his  seat 
in  Congress.  He  came  with  Congress  to 
Y'ork  in  September,  1777,  and  remained 
about  three  months  and  together  with 
Benjamin  Harrison,  of  Virginia,  returned  to 
his  home.  Harrison  was  one  of  the  ablest 
men  of  the  body  and  served  on  more  com- 
mittees than  any  other  delegate.  While  in 
York,  he  suffered  from  a  disease  from 
which  he  never  fully  recovered,  and  died  at 
the  age  of  fifty-one  years.  Richard  Henry 
Lee  was  one  of  the  most  eloquent  men  who 
served  in  Continental  Congress. 

The  sum  of  $150,000  was  appropriated 
for  the  use  of  the  state  of  Maryland.  An 
important  resolution  was  adopted,  appoint- 
ing Richard  Henry  Lee.  of  Virginia,  Gouv- 
erneur  Morris,  of  New  York,  and  Roger 
Sherman,  of  Connecticut,  a  committee  to 
report  proper  instructions  to  be  transmitted 
to  the  commissioners  of  the  United  States 
at  foreign  courts.  The  marine  committee 
was  instructed  to  procure  six  of  the  best 
and  swiftest  sailing  packet  boats,  for  con- 
veying dispatches  to  and  from  France  and 
Spain  and  the  West  Indies. 

The  committee  of  commerce  reported 
that  it  had  received  from  the  Board  of  War 
an  invoice  of  articles,  including  medicines 
to  be  imported  from  France,  for  the  cam- 
paign of  1779.  On  May  2,  Nathan  Sellers 
was  given  $164  for  making  a  fine  mould  to 
be  used  in  manufacturing  paper  for  bills  of 
exchange  and  for  his  expenses  in  coming  to 
York  and  returning  home.  John  Dunlap. 
of  Philadelphia,  was  appointed  to  continue 
printing  the  Journals  of  Congress  in  place 


of  Robert  Aitken.  Brigadier-General  Hand, 
of  Lancaster,  who  had  served  with  distinc- 
tion at  Long  Island  and  Princeton,  and 
was  now  in  command  at  Fort  Pitt,  was  re- 
lieved at  his  own  request. 


CHAPTER  XIX 

CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS,  Continued 

Alliance  with  France — Death  of  Philip 
Livingston — Baron  Steuben  at  York — 
Two  Plans  of  Government — The  Conway 
Cabal — Gates-Wilkinson  Duel — List  of 
Delegates — Congress  Adjourns  to  Phila- 
delphia. 

The  Declaration  of  Independence  made 
it  necessary  to  seek  foreign  alliance,  and 
first  of  all  with  England's  great  rival, 
France.  Here  Franklin's  world-wide  fame 
and  his  long  experience  in  public  life  in 
England  and  America  enabled  him  to  play 
a  part  that  would  have  been  impossible  to 
any  other  American.  He  was  thoroughly 
familiar  with  European  politics.  He  had 
learned  the  French,  Italian,  and  Spanish 
languages,  and  his  fame  as  a  scientist  was 
known  throughout  all  Europe.  He  was 
thus  possessed  of  talismans  for  opening 
many  a  treasure  house.  Negotiations  with 
the  French  Court  had  been  already  begun 
through  the  agency  of  Arthur  Lee,  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  Silas  Deane,  of  Connecticut.  In 
the  fall  of  1776  Benjamin  Franklin,  at  the 
age  of  seventy,  and  Thomas  Jefferson,  at 
the  age  of  thirty-four,  were  appointed  by 
Congress  as  special  commissioners  to  Paris. 
Jeft'erson  asked  to  be  excused,  but  urged 
that  Franklin  should  accept  the  mission. 
His  arrival,  on  December  21,  was  the  oc- 
casion of  great  excitement  in  the  fashion- 
able world  of  Paris.  France,  at  this  time, 
was  an  absolute  monarchy,  ruled  by  Louis 
Sixteenth,  who  had  succeeded  to  the  throne 
three  j^ears  before,  at  the  age  of  twenty. 
He  had  succeeded  his  grandfather,  Louis 
Fifteenth,  who  was  king  of  France  for  a 
period  of  fifty  years.  Louis  Fifteenth  had 
succeeded  his  great-grandfather,  Louis 
Fourteenth,  who  had  reigned  over  France, 
as  an  absolute  monarch,  for  a  long  period 
of  se\entv  vears. 


314 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


The  court  of  Louis  XVI,  when 
Franklin's  Frankhn  arrived  at  Paris,  was 
Popularity,  the  most  brilliant  in  French 
history.  Franklin  at  once 
captivated  this  court  by  his  great  learning, 
his  plain  habits  and  his  fascinating  man- 
ners. Within  a  few  months  after  his  arrival 
there,  he  was  the  most  popular  man  in  all 
Europe.  Even  Frederick  the  Great,  the 
military  genius  of  the  continent;  Leibnitz, 
the  most  distinguished  scientist  of  Europe, 
and  Voltaire,  whose  remarkable  endow- 
ments had  charmed  many  an  intellectual 
circle,  could  not  vie  with  the  sage  from 
America  in  popularity. 

Although  the  French  nation  was  then 
heavily  in  debt,  and  two-thirds  of  the  land 
was  owned  by  the  nobility  and  clergy,  yet 
through  the  influence  of  Beaumarchais,  the 
financial  agent  of  France,  and  Vergennes, 
the  minister  of  foreign  affairs,  Franklin  suc- 
ceeded immediately  in  making  a  loan  from 
France  for  the  United  States  to  the  amount 
of  two  million  francs,  amounting  to  about 
four  hundred  thousand  dollars.  The  fol- 
lowing year  the  sum  of  four  hundred 
thousand  francs  was  sent  across  the  ocean 
to  aid  in  the  cause  of  American  inde- 
pendence. Besides  these  amounts  the 
French  sent  over  a  gift  of  nine  million 
francs,  or  nearly  two  million  dollars,  and 
guaranteed  the  interest  upon  a  loan  from 
Holland  of  two  million  dollars.  In  Febru- 
ary. 1778,  the  sum  of  six  hundred  thousand 
dollars,  in  silver  coin,  sent  over  by  the 
French  government,  arrived  at  Portsmouth, 
New  Hampshire.  In  all,  Franklin  had  ob- 
tained as  a  loan  and  by  gift  a  sum  of  five 
million  dollars  for  the  benefit  of  the  infant 
republic  of  the  United  States. 

These  triumphs  at  Paris,  and  the 
A         victory  of  the  Americans  at  Sara- 
Treaty      toga,  when  the  entire  army  under 
Signed.     Burgoyne    became     prisoners     of 

war,  brought  forth  the  alliance 
with  France.  February  6,  1778,  a  treaty 
was  signed  by  the  King  of  France,  which 
resulted  in  American  independence.  For 
the  successful  management  of  this  negotia- 
tion, one  of  the  most  important  in  the  his- 
tory of  modern  diplomacy,  the  credit  is  due 
to  the  genius  of  Franklin. 

His  name  now  became  famous  to  every 
citizen  of  France.  His  society  was  courted 
by  the  nobility  of  that  country,  as  well  as 


by  all  men  of  science  and  literature.  His 
home  at  Passy,  then  in  the  suburbs,  but 
now  within  the  city  of  Paris,  was  a  constant 
resort  for  the  most  distinguished  men  of 
France.  About  a  month  later,  together 
with  the  other  two  commissioners,  he  was 
received  by  the  king 'with  imposing  cere- 
monies. The  reception  on  this  occasion 
was  one  of  the  most  brilliant  scenes  ever 
witnessed  in  the  fashionable  circles  of 
Paris.  Marie  Antoinette,  the  beautiful  and 
accomplished  queen,  from  this  time  forth 
enthusiastically  favored  the  republic  of  the 
United  States. 

There  were  no  cables  across  the 

News        Atlantic  at  this  early  day.     Even 

Brought     steamships  did    not    plough    the 

to  ocean  yet  for  half  a  century,  but 

York.  it  was  desired  to  send  the  news 
of  these  treaties  to  America  with 
all  possible  speed.  Vergennes,  the  French 
minister,  ordered  that  the  swift  sailing  ves- 
sel. Mercury,  be  placed  at  Franklin's  dis- 
posal. Simeon  Deane,  a  young  man  then 
in  Paris,  and  brother  of  one  of  the  Ameri- 
can commissioners,  was  entrusted  with  this 
important  mission.  He  received  the  doc- 
uments, signed  by  the  King  of  France,  and 
with  a  letter  addressed  to  Congress,  from 
Benjamin  Franklin,  and  Silas  Deane,  left 
the  port  of  Havre  and  steered  for  Ports- 
mouth, New  Hampshire.  He  arrived  there, 
after  a  passage  of  two  months.  Reaching 
Boston  he  called  upon  John  Hancock,  and 
then  proceeded  on  horseback,  crossing  the 
Hudson  River  at  Fishkill,  New  York.  He 
reached  Valley  Forge,  on  the  evening  of 
April  30.  After  holding  a  conference  one 
day  with  General  Washington,  he  pro- 
ceeded on  his  way  westward,  crossing  the 
Susquehanna  at  Wright's  Ferry,  and  arriv- 
ing in  York  at  3  P.  M.  in  the  afternoon  of 
May  2.  This  was  Saturday.  Congress  had 
adjourned  for  that  week.  Immediately 
after  Simeon  Deane  rode  through  Center 
Square  and  stopped  at  a  public  inn,  at  the 
southeast  corner  of  George  Street  and 
Center  Square,  Martin  Brenise  was  ordered 
to  ring  the  bell  in  the  cupola  of  the  Court 
House  to  call  Congress  together. 

There  was  great  rejoicing  atnong  all  the 
delegates,  and  the  people  of  the  town,  /or 
the  arrival  of  this  news  meant  even  more 
than  the  decisive  victory  of  the  Americans 
at    Saratoga,    and    the    surrender    of    Bur- 


COXTIXENTAL  CONGRESS  AT  YORK 


3'5 


goyne.  Rev.  George  Duffield,  tlie  chaplain 
of  Congress,  who  preached  in  Zion  Re- 
formed Church  the  following  day,  had  a 
large  audience,  and  after  offering  up  a  fer- 
vent prayer,  referred  in  eloquent  words  to 
the  cheering  news  from  across  the  ocean. 

On  Monday,  May  4,  the  treaty 
Treaty  of  Amity  and  Commerce  and  the 
Ratified,  treaty  of  Alliance  were  unani- 
mously adopted  by  Congress 
with  great  enthusiasm.  Richard  Henry 
Lee,  of  Virginia;  William  Henry  Drayton, 
of  South  Carolina,  and  Francis  Dana,  of 
Massachusetts,  were  appointed  a  committee 
to  prepare  a  form  of  ratification  of  the 
treaties.  At  the  same  time  a  resolution 
was  passed  that  "This  Congress  entertain 
the  highest  sense  of  the  magnanimity  and 
wisdom  of  his  most  Christian  jNIajesty,  for 
entering  into  a  treaty  with  these  United 
States,  at  Paris,  on  the  6th  day  of  February 
last;  and  the  commissioners,  or  any  of 
them,  representing  these  states  at  the  Court 
of  France,  are  directed  to  present  the  grate- 
ful acknowledgments  of  this  Congress  to 
his  most  Christian  IMajesty,  for  his  truly 
magnanimous  conduct  respecting  these 
states  in  the  said  generous  and  disinterested 
treaties,  and  to  assure  his  Majesty,  on  the 
part  of  Congress,  it  is  sincerely  wished  that 
the  friendship,  so  happily  commenced  be- 
tween France  and  these  United  States  may 
be  perpetual." 

Simeon  Deane  was  voted  $3,000  in  con- 
sideration of  his  faithful  execution  of  a 
most  important  trust  reposed  in  him  by  the 
commissioners  of  the  United  States  at 
Paris. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  letter 
which  Simeon  Deane  brought  from  the 
American  commissioners  at  Paris  to  Presi- 
dent Laurens  and  Continental  Congress  at 
York : 

Passy,  February  8,  1778. 
Sir ; — We  have  now  the  satisfaction  of  acquainting 
you  and  the  Congress  that  the  treaties  with  France  are 
at  Icnglli  completed  and  signed.  The  first  is  a  treaty 
of  Amity  and  Commerce,  much  on  tlie  plan  of  that  pro- 
jected in  Congress;  the  other  is  a  treaty  of  .Mliance,  in 
which  it  is  stipulated  that  in  case  England  declares  war 
against  France,  or  occasions  a  war  by  attempts  to  hinder 
her  commerce  with  us.  we  should  then  make  common 
cause  of  it  and  join  our  forces  and  councils,  etc.  The 
great  aim  of  this  treaty  is  declared  to  be  to  '"establish 
the  liberty,  sovereignty,  and  independency,  absolute  and 
unlimited,  of  the  United  States,  as  well  in  matters  of 
government  as  commerce;"  and  this  is  guaranteed  to  us 
by  France,  together  with  all  the  countries  we  possess  or 
shall  possess  at  the  conclu^i'ln  of  the  w;ir;  in  n-turn  for 


whicli  the  States  guaranty  to  France  all  its  possessions 
in  America.  We  do  not  now  add  more  particulars  as 
you  will  soon  have  the  whole  by  a  safer  conveyance,  a 
frigate  being  appointed  to  carry  our  dis'patches.  We 
only  observe  to  you,  and  with  pleasure,  that  we  have 
found  throughout  this  business  the  greatest  cordiality 
in  this  court ;  and  th.it  no  advantage  has  been  taken  of 
our  present  dilTicultics  to  obtain  hard  terms  from  us ; 
but  such  has  been  the  king's  magnanimity  and  goodness, 
that  he  has  proposed  none  which  we  might  not  have 
readily  agreed  to  in  a  state  of  full  prosperity  and  estab- 
lished power.  The  principle  laid  down  as  the  basis  of 
the  treaty  being,  as  declared  in  the  preamble,  "the  most 
perfect  equality  and  reciprocity;"  the  privileges  in  trade, 
etc.,  are  mutual,  and  none  are  given  to  France,  but  what 
we  are  at  liberty  to  grant  to  any  other  nation. 

On  the  wliole,  we  have  abundant  reason  to  be  satis- 
fied with  the  good  will  of  this  Court  and  of  the  nation 
in  general,  which  we  therefore  hope  will  be  cultivated 
by  the  Congress  by  every  means  which  may  establish  the 
Union  and  render  it  permanent.  Spain  being  slow,  there 
is  a  separate  and  secret  clause,  by  which  she  is  to  be 
received  into  the  alliance  upon  requisition,  and  there  is 
no  doubt  of  the  event.  When  we  mention  the  good  will 
of  this  nation  to  our  cause,  we  may  add  that  of  all 
Europe,  which  having  been  offended  by  the  pride  and 
insolence  of  Britain,  wishes  to  see  its  power  diminished; 
and  all  who  have  received  injuries  from  her  are  by  one 
of  the  articles  to  be  invited  into  our  alliance.  The  prep- 
arations for  war  are  carried  on  with  immense  activity 
and  it  is  soon  e.xpected. 

With  our  hearty  congratulations  and  our  duty  to  the 
Congress,  we  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully, 
etc., 

B.  FRANKLIN, 
SILAS  DEANE. 

On  May  5,  Philip  Living- 
Further  ston,  a  signer  of  the  Declara- 
Proceedings.  tion,  and  a  member  from  the 
state  of  New  Y^ork,  arrived 
and  took  his  seat  in  Congress.  The  sum  of 
$200,000  was  appropriated  for  use  in  paying 
debts  contracted  by  William  Buchanan,  late 
commissary-general  of  purchases  in  the 
northern  district,  and  the  same  amount  in 
the  southern  district.  On  the  same  day 
Nathaniel  Greene,  quartermaster-general, 
was  granted  $3,000,000  for  his  department. 
This  last  appropriation  was  intended  to  be 
used  for  the  campaign  in  New  Jersey,  which 
resulted  in  the  battle  and  decisive  victory  at 
Monmouth.  Baron  Steuben,  then  with  the 
army  at  Valley  Forge,  was  made  inspector- 
general,  with  the  rank  of  major-general. 
Although  this  great  German  soldier  agreed 
to  serve  without  pay.  Congress  ordered  that 
his  paj'  was  to  commence  from  the  time  he 
joined  the  army  and  entered  the  service  of 
the  United  States. 

On  May  8,  Congress  voted  $56  to  Captain 
Philip  Albright,  of  York,  for  "sundry  con- 
tingencies for  the  money  press  in  York." 
On^Iav  9,  it  was  ordered  that  $200  be  paid 
to  Charles  Gist  and  James  Claypoole  toward 


;i6 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


defraying  their  expenses  for  their  employ- 
ment by  the  treasurer  in  superintending  the 
making  of-  paper  for  loan  ofifice  certificates 
and  bills  of  exchange;  that  $20,000  be  ad- 
vanced to  the  marine  committee  for  the  use 
of  the  navy  board  in  the  middle  district; 
that  $24,000  be  advanced  to  the  committee 
of  commerce  for  use  in  their  department. 

Captain  Landais,  of  the  French 
The  navy,  appeared  in  York  before  the 
French  marine  committee  of  Congress. 
Sailor.  He  came  to  this  country  with  a 
recommendation  from  Silas  Deane, 
which  was  endorsed  by  Baron  Steuben. 
He  had  succeeded  in  quelling  a  mutiny  on 
board  the  vessel  Flammand  and  brought  the 
ship  safely  into  an  American  port.  He  was 
voted  a  sum  of  money  for  his  services  and 
made  a  captain  in  the  United  States  navy. 
On  May  11,  Count  Pulaski,  the  Polish 
nobleman,  was  voted  $15,000  for  the  pur- 
pose of  purchasing  horses  and  recruiting  his 
Legion,  then  in  the  field.  Colonel  Francis 
Johnson  was  elected  commissary  of  pris- 
oners to  succeed  Elias  Boudinot.  \\ho  had 
retired  from  office. 

On  May  14,  Ethan  Allen,  the  Connecticut 
patriot,  who  had  captured  Ticonderoga  on 
May  10,  1775,  and  afterward  l)ecame  a  pris- 
oner of  war,  was  raised  to  the  rankof  colo- 
nel in  recognition  of  his  loyalty  and  patriot- 
ism. On  May  15,  a  resolution  was  adopted 
ordering  John  Penn,  grandson  of  William 
Penn,  and  Benjamin  Chew,  late  chief  justice 
of  Penns}'l\-ania  for  the  provincial  govern- 
ment, to  be  released  from  parole  and  con- 
veyed without  delay  into  the  State  of  Penn- 
sylvania. Both  of  these  distinguished  per- 
sons had  been  charged  with  disloyaltv  to 
the  United  States  government  after  the 
declaration  of  independence. 

On  May  16,  Dr.  Jonathan  Potts,  deputy 
director-general  of  hospitals  for  the  middle 
district,  was  voted  $100,000  for  the  use  of 
his  department.  The  committee  on  foreign 
relations  was  asked  to  report  to  Congress 
the  changes  in  or  addition  to  the  instruc- 
tions and  commissions  "given  to  American 
commissioners  at  the  courts  of  Berlin, 
Vienna  and  Tuscany,"  On  Ma_y  19,  Ameri- 
can officers  held  as  prisoners  of  war,  were 
voted  full  pay  during  the  time  of  their  im- 
prisonment. On  May  20,  Rev,  Dr.  Robert 
Blackwell  was  appointed  chaplain  of  Gen- 
eral ^^'ayne's  brigade  of  the   Pennsylvania 


Line,  Alajor-General  Alifllin  by  resolution 
of  Congress  was  given  leave  to  join  the 
army  under  the  command  of  General 
Washington,  .\lthough  Mifflin  had  been 
charged  with  Ijeing  a  leader  in  the  Conway 
conspiracy,  the  magnanimity  of  Washing- 
ton was  shown  in  this  instance  by  receiving 
Mifflin  back  into  his  military  circle. 

By  resolution  of  Congress  on  May  22,  the 
Board  of  Treasury  was  ordered  to  print 
$5,000,000.  Dr.  Jonathan  Elmer,  of  New 
Jersey,  and  Daniel  Roberdeau,  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, appeared  before  Congress  and  took 
their  seats  in  that  body.  On  May  26,  Con- 
gress adopted  new  rules  for  the  conduct  of 
business  at  its  sessions. 

On  May  27  important  changes 

Marine  took  place  in  the  marine  com- 
Committee.  mittee  of  Congress.  The 
new  members  of  this  com- 
mittee were  Josiah  Bartlett,  of  New  Hamp- 
shire;  Samuel  Adams,  of  Massachusetts: 
Gouverneur  Morris,  of  New  York;  Henry 
Drayton,  of  South  Carolina.  Josiah  Bart- 
lett had  recently  arrived  and  taken  his  seat 
as  a  delegate  from  the  state  of  New  Hamp- 
shire. By  profession  he  was  a  physician 
and  at  the  time  he  arrived  in  York,  he  was 
forty-nine  years  of  age.  He  is  accredited 
with  hax'ing  been  the  first  physician  in 
America  to  introduce  into  this  country  the 
practical  use  of  Peru\'ian  bark  as  a  curative 
drug.  Being  a  man  of  influence  in  New 
Hampshire,  he  had  been  chosen  a  delegate 
to  Congress  in  1776.  He  voted  in  favor  of 
the  Declaration  of  Independence,  and  was 
the  second  person  to  sign  that  immortal 
document.  Dr.  Bartlett  had  been  the  sur- 
geon in  chief  of  General  Stark's  army  at  the 
battle  of  Bennington.  In  1779,  he  left  Con- 
gress to  become  chief  justice  of  the  courts 
of  New  Hampshire,  and  in  1790,  under  a 
new  constitution,  became  the  first  governor 
of  the  state.  In  a  personal  letter  to  his 
family  immediately  after  he  arrived  in 
York,  Dr.  Bartlett  described  his  difficulty 
in  obtaining  a  good  boarding  place.  He 
finally  secured  apartments  in  a  private 
house  on  Market  Street  on  the  west  side  of 
the  Codorus. 

Congress  decided  to  reorganize  the  Amer- 
ican army  in  the  field  and  adopted  rules  and 
regulations  for  this  reorganization.  The 
committee  of  Congress  who  had  gone  to 
\\'ashins:ton"s   armv  had  returned   and   re- 


COXTIXEXTAL  CONGRESS  AT  YORK 


317 


ported  a  favorable  condition  in  tlie  affairs 
at  \'alley  Forge. 

June  2,  a  letter  was  recei\'ed  from  General 
Gates,  who  had  gone  to  Fishkill,  New  York, 
in  April  to  take  charge  of  the  army  there. 
Gates  enclosed  with  this  letter  communica- 
tions between  himself  and  General  \\'ash- 
ington,  relative  to  the  recent  controversy, 
known  to  history  as  the  "Conway  Cabal." 
A  few  days  before  this.  Gates  had  fought  a 
dtiel  with  Colonel  AMlkinson  at  St.  Clair's 
headquarters  on  the  Hudson  River,  an  ac- 
count of  which  is  found  in  the  succeeding 
pages. 

A  resolution  was  adopted  \-oting  the  sum 
of  $420  to  Rev.  George  Dutiield  for  services 
as  chaplain  to  Congress  from  October,  1777, 
to  April  30,  1778.  Chaplain  Duffield  re- 
ceived the  sum  of  $60  per  month  as  a  salary. 
During  the  time  of  his  stay  in  York,  he  re- 
sided in  the  parsonage  house  occupied  by 
Rev.  Daniel  Wagner,  pastor  of  Zion  Re- 
formed Church.  This  liouse  stood  on  the 
north  side  of  East  King  Street,  east  of 
Court  Alley.  June  4,  a  resolution  was 
adopted  that  three  commissioners  be  ap- 
pointed to  meet  with  the  Delaw^ares,  Shaw- 
anese  and  other  Indian  tribes  at  Fort  Pitt 
on  July  2;^.  and  enter  into  a  treaty  with 
them.  One  of  these  commissioners  was  to 
be  from  Pennsylvania  and  the  other  two 
from  Virginia. 

News  had  now  arrived  of  the 

Howe  probable   evacuation  of   Phila- 

Returns  to  delphia  by  the  British  army. 
England.  General  A\'illiam  Howe,  who 
had  command  of  the  forces  in 
that  city  from  the  time  of  its  capture  in 
October,  1777,  was  recalled  in  May  by  Par- 
liament, and  returned  to  England.  Howe 
first  came  to  America  early  in  1775,  succeed- 
ing General  Gage  as  commander  of  the 
British  forces  in  America.  He  commanded 
the  British  at  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  in 

1775.  at  Long  Island  and  AVhite  Plains  in 

1776,  and  had  defeated  \\'ashington  at 
Brandy  wine  and  Germantown  in  1777.  He 
was  charged  by  Parliament  as  having  spent 
the  winter  of  1777-78  in  indolence  and 
pleasure,  and  for  this  reason  was  recalled. 
He  was  personally  popular  with  many  of  his 
subordinate  officers.  A\  hen  they  heard  of 
his  expected  departure  for  England,  he  was 
given  a  brilliant  entertainment,  memorable 
in    history    as    the    "Mescliianza."      Many 


Tories  of  Philadelphia  took  part  in  this  en- 
tertainment. Flowe  was  succeeded  in  com- 
mand of  the  British  forces  by  Sir  Henry 
Clinton,  an  English  ofificer  of  high  rank,  who 
had  occupied  New  York  City  before  coming 
to  Philadelphia. 

When  Congress  anticipated  the  evacua- 
tion of  Philadelphia,  on  June  5,  Washington 
was  instructed  that  when  he  reoccupied  the 
city,  he  should  institute  measures  for  the 
preservation  of  order  in  the  city,  and  to  pre- 
vent the  removahtransfer  or  sale  of  goods  or 
merchandise,  belonging  to  the  King  of  Great 
Britain,  in  possession  of  the  inhabitants. 

June  6,  letters  were  received  b\'  Congress 
from  General  Washington  enclosing  com- 
munications which  he  had  received  from 
Sir  Henry  Clinton  and  Lord  Howe.  On 
the  same  day,  a  messenger  arrived  in  York 
with  a  communication  from  Lord  Richard 
Howe,  in  command  of  the  British  navy  in 
American  waters,  and  from  General  Clinton 
in  charge  of  the  forces  at  Philadelphia. 
Accompanying  these  letters  were  three  acts 
of  the  Parliament  of  Great  Britain.  These 
acts  offered  overtures  of  peace  wdiich  Con- 
gress was  requested  to  accept.  A  commit- 
tee composed  of  William  Henry  Drayton, 
Richard  Henry  Lee,  Gouverneur  ]\Iorris, 
John  Witherspoon  and  Samuel  Adams,  was 
appointed  to  repair  to  the  next  room  and 
prepare  an  answer  to  the  letters  of  Lord 
Howe  and  General  Clinton.  This  commit- 
tee met  on  the  second  floor  of  the  pro\incial 
court  house  at  York,  where  they  drafted 
the  following  reply,  a  copy  of  w'hich  was 
sent  to  Howe  and  Clinton : 

Yorktown,  June  6.  1778. 
Jly  Lord : — 

I  have  had  the  honor  to  lay  your  lordship's  letter,  of 
May  27th.  with  the  acts  of  the  British  Parliament  en- 
closed, before  Congress,  and  I  am  instructed  to  acquaint 
your  lordship,  that  they  have  already  expressed  their 
sentiments  upon  bills  not  essentially  different  from  those 
acts,  in  a  publication  of  the  22d  of  April  last. 

Your  lortlship  may  be  assured,  that  when  the  King  of 
Great  Britain  shall  be  seriously  disposed  to  put  an  end 
to  the  uniirovoked  and  cruel  war  waged  against  these 
United  States,  Congress  will  readily  attend  to  such 
terms  of  peace,  as  may  consist  with  the  honor  of  inde- 
pendent nations,  the  interest  of  their  constituents,  and 
the  sacred  regard  they  mean  to  pay  to  treaties. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be.  etc.. 

HENRY  LAURENS,  President. 

On    the    same    day    that 

Peace  Congress    received    these 

Commissioners,     communications  from  the 

British       officers,       three 

commissioners  arrived  in  Philadelphia  on  a 


!l8 


llIS'l'ORY   OF  YORK   COUXTY.   PENNSYLVANIA 


fruitless  errand  for  negotiating  terms  of 
peace.  These  commissioners  were  Earl  of 
Carlisle,  \Villiam  Eden,  afterward  Lord 
Auckland,  and  George  Johnston,  who  be- 
fore the  Revolution  had  served  as  colonial 
governor  of  New  York.  As  the  instruc- 
tions given  to  them  by  the  English  govern- 
ment had  already  been  conveyed  to  Con- 
gress and  their  acceptance  refused,  the  ar- 
rival of  these  commissioners  accomplished 
no  purpose  except  to  delay  for  a  few  da3's 
the  evacuation  of  Philadelphia  by  the  Brit- 
ish forces  imder  Sir  Henry  Clinton.  How- 
ever, on  June  ii,  a  letter  was  received  from 
General  Washington  with  a  communication 
from  Clinton  giving  notification  of  the  ar- 
rival of  the  British  commissioners  in  Phila- 
delphia, and  asking  for  a  passport  for  Dr. 
Ferguson,  secretary  to  the  commissioners, 
to  bring  a  letter  from  them  to  Congress. 
This  was  referred  to  a  committee  composed 
of  Richard  Henry  Lee,  Samuel  Adams  and 
Henry  Marchant,  who  made  a  report  on 
June  13,  and  the  subject  was  taken  up  for 
debate.  While  the  discussion  was  in  pro- 
gress, a  message  arrived  from  \\'ashing- 
ton's  headquarters  at  Valley  Forge,  with  a 
letter  from  the  British  commissioners  in 
Philadelphia.  Immediately  upon  its  receipt 
Charles  Thomson,  secretar}?  of  Congress, 
began  to  read  this  letter,  which  was  ad- 
dressed to  "His  Excellency,  Henry  Laurens, 
the  president,  and  others,  the  members  of 
Congress."  A  deep  silence  prevailed  until 
he  arrived  at  some  sentences  reflecting 
upon  "his  most  Christian  Majesty,  Louis 
XVI  of  France,  the  new  ally  of  the  Ameri- 
can government."  \\'hen  these  oiTensi^'e 
words  were  reached,  there  was  confusion  in 
the  hall  of  Congress  and  the  secretary  or- 
dered to  discontinue  the  reading  of  the 
communication  from  the  commissioners. 
At  the  session  held  on  June  16.  after  mature 
deliberation,  it  was  decided  that  the  entire 
communication  should  be  read  before  Con- 
gress. The  subject  was  then  referred  to  a 
committee  composed  of  Richard  Henry 
Lee,  Samuel  Adams,  William  Henry  Dray- 
ton, Gouverneur  Morris  and  John  Wither- 
spoon.  On  June  17  the  committee  brought 
in  a  draught  of  a  letter  to  be  sent  to  the 
commissioners,  which  reads  as  follows: 

Yorktown.  June  17,  1778. 
Sirs : — I    have   received    the   letter    from   your   excel- 
lencies  of  the   pth   inst.   with   the   enclosures,   and   laid 


them  hefore  Congress.  Nothing  but  an  earnest  desire  to 
spare  the  further  effusion  of  human  blood  could  have 
induced  them  to  read  a  paper  containing  expressions  so 
disrespectful  to  his  most  Christian  majesty,  the  good 
and  great  ally  of  these  states,  or  to  consider  proposi- 
tions so  derogatory  to  the  honor  of  an  independent 
nation. 

The  acts  of  the  British  parliament,  the  commission 
from  your  sovereign,  and  your  letter,  suppose  the  peo- 
ple of  these  states  to  be  subjects  of  the  crown  of  Great 
Britain,  and  are  founded  on  the  idea  of  dependence, 
which  is  utterly  inadmissible. 

I  am  further  directed  to  inform  your  excellencies, 
that  Congress  are  inclined  to  peace,  notwithstandmg  the 
unjust  claims  from  which  this  war  originated,  and  the 
savage  manner  in  which  it  hath  been  conducted.  They 
will,  therefore,  be  ready  to  enter  upon  the  consideration 
of  a  treaty  of  peace  and  commerce  not  inconsistent  with 
treaties  already  existing,  when  the  king  of  Great 
Britain  shall  demonstrate  a  sincere  disposition  for  that 
purpose.  The  only  solid  proof  of  this  disposition,  will 
be,  an  explicit  acknowledginent  of  the  independence  of 
these  states,  or  the  withdrawing  his  fleets  and  armies. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  your  excellencies  most  obedient 
anil  humble  servant, 

HENRY  LAURENS,  President. 

On  June  18,  Air.  Holker,  then  in  York, 
petitioned  Congress  for  the  payment  of 
400,000  livres  "to  persons  interested  therein, 
as  owners  or  otherwise  concerned  in  the 
private  vessels  of  war,  Hancock  and  Bos- 
ton." This  matter  was  referred  to  a  com- 
mittee composed  of  Gouverneur  Morris, 
John  Witherspoon  and  Thomas  McKean. 
On  June  19,  John  Hancock,  of  Massachu- 
setts, returned  to  York  and  took  his  seat  as 
a  delegate  in  Congress.  He  had  served  as 
president  of  Continental  Congress  from  the 
time  of  its  organization  until  November, 
1777.  He  was  the  first  to  append  his  name 
to  the  Declaration  of  Independence.  Let- 
ters from  Arthur  Lee,  of  Virginia,  then  a 
commissioner  at  the  court  of  France,  were 
received  and  read.  These  letters  had  been 
written  on  the  6th,  15th  and  31st  of  Janu- 
ary. Another  letter  addressed  to  the  Com- 
mittee on  Foreign  Affairs  of  the  United 
States  was  received.  This  letter  was  writ- 
ten at  Paris  on  January  16,  and  signed  by 
Benjamin  Franklin  and  Silas  Deane,  the 
other  two  commissioners  of  the  L'nited 
States  at  France.  These  letters  had  been 
written  a  few  days  before  the  king  of  France 
had  signed  the  treaty  of  Alliance  and  the 
treatv  of  Amity  and  Commerce  which  took 
place  February  6,  1778. 

The  -  alliance  with  France  now  having 
been  formed,  and  a  French  fleet  and  army 
on  their  way  to  American  waters.  Congress 
determined  to  aid  Washington  in  preparing 
vigorous  plans  for  the  summer  campaign. 


COXTINEXTAL  CONGRESS  AT  YORK 


319 


A  warrant  was  issued  on  the  treasurer  of 
the  United  States  for  $1,500,000  to  aid  in 
prosecuting  the  war;  ordered  that  $500,000 
be  paid  to  General  Nathaniel  Greene, 
quarter-master  general  of  the  arm)-;  that 
$2,000,000  be  appropriated  for  the  use  of 
Jeremiah  W'adsworth,  commissary  general 
of  purchases  for  the  arm}-;  that  $100,000  be 
appropriated  for  the  use  of  Benjamin 
Flower,  commissary  general  of  military 
stores.  On  the  same  day  the  sum  of  8223 
livres  and  $200  was  appropriated  for  the 
benefit  of  General  Thomas  Conway  "as  a 
gratuity  for  his  time  and  expenses  previous 
to  his  entering  into  the  pay  of  the  United 
States  and  for  his  return  to  France."  He 
was  also  voted  $321,  the  balance  of  his  ac- 
count with  the  United  States. 

On    June    20,    news    of    the 
Evacuation       greatest  importance  reached 
of  York     and     was     communi- 

Philadelphia.  cated  to  Congress.  A  mes- 
senger arrived  from  General 
W  ashington  reporting  that  the  British 
army  under  Sir  Henry  Clinton  had  evacu- 
ated Philadelphia  on  the  i8th.  This  news 
was  read  in  Congress  amid  the  greatest  en- 
thusiasm. It  w-as  nine  months  before, 
almost  to  the  day,  that  Continental  Con- 
gress, alarmed  by  the  approach  of  the 
British  army  to  Philadelphia,  quickly  ad- 
journed from  Independence  Hall  to  Lan- 
caster, and  after  spending  one  day  in  that 
town,  removed  to  York.  The  information 
that  Clinton  and  his  army  had  left  Phila- 
delphia was  so  gratifying  that  after  a  few 
patriotic  speeches  made  by  the  leaders  in 
Congress,  that  body  adjourned. 

The  town  of  York  was  wild 
Enthusiasm  with  enthusiasm.  Bonfires 
in  York.  were  built  on  the  public  com- 
mon:  the  provincial  Court 
House,  in  which  Congress  had  held  its  ses- 
sions three-fourths  of  the  year,  was  bril- 
liantly illuminated  in  honor  of  the  event. 
Militar}-  companies  paraded  the  streets, 
preceded  b\-  music  from  the  drum  and  the 
fife.  This  so  interested  the  rural  folk 
round  a1)Out  that  on  that  eventful  Saturdaj- 
afternoon,  the  streets  were  filled  with  peo- 
ple. At  the  lodging  places  of  the  delegates 
to  Congress,  and  at  the  twenty  public  inns 
in  the  town,  the  evacuation  of  Philadelphia 
was  the  sole  topic  of  conversation.  None 
of  the  members  had  received  this  news  with 


greater  applause  than  Samuel  Adams  and 
John  Hancock,  of  [Massachusetts;  Richard 
Henry  Lee,  of  Virginia;  Daniel  Roberdeau 
and  James  Smith,  of  Pennsylvania;  Roger 
Sherman. of  Connecticut ;  Francis  Lewis  and 
Gouverneur  Morris,  of  New  York;  Josiah 
Bartlett,  of  New  Hampshire,  and  the  digni- 
fied and  honored  president  of  Congress, 
Henry  Laurens,  of  South  Carolina.  In  fact 
toward  the  close  of  the  sessions  at  York,  all 
these  notable  men  and  several  others  of 
equal  fame  and  distinction  had  been  re- 
elected to  Congress  and  were  now  holding 
their  seats  in  that  body.  Although  the  en- 
tire membership  did  not  e.xceed  thirty-five, 
there  were  more  men  of  great  eminence 
present  on  this  occasion  than  at  any  time 
during  the  preceding  nine  months. 

After    the    adjournment    of 
Independence     Congress,  the  law  ofifice  of 

a  Reality.  James  Smith,  on  South 
George  Street,  was  the 
centre  of  interest  and  attraction.  Associ- 
ated with  him  while  Congress  sat  in  York 
were  twenty-six  persons  whose  names  will 
go  down  through  the  ages  as  immortals  of 
history,  because  they  appended  their  names 
to  the  Declaration  of  Independence.  When 
that  immortal  document  w^as  signed,  the 
government  of  the  United  States  was  only 
an  experiment.  Now  the  condition  of 
afifairs  was  different.  An  army  fresh  from 
l)rilliant  victories  in  Europe  had  defeated 
the  Americans  on  Long  Island  and  captured 
the  city  of  New  York.  The  same  victorious 
army  under  General  Howe,  a  near  relative 
of  George  III,  had  sailed  from  New  York. 
passed  up  the  Chesapeake  Bay.  and,  after 
defeating  the  Americans  at  Brandywine 
and  Germantown,  had  captured  and  held 
the  Federal  City  of  the  infant  republic. 
The  victory  at  Saratoga,  the  French  al- 
liance, and  the  notorious  conduct  of  Howe 
in  Philadelphia,  had  turned  the  tide  of 
afifairs  in  favor  of  independence.  The 
Declaration  of  Independence  was  now  a 
reality.  Even  Frederick  tlie  Great,  then  the 
military  genius  of  all  Europe,  was  not  only 
declaring  the  praises  of  A\'ashington  as  a 
field  marshal,  but  recognized  the  eminent 
statesmanship  of  the  American  Congress. 

The  fact  that  many  of  the  most  important 
events,  during  the  whole  period  of  the 
Revolution,  occurred  while  Congress  was 
in  session  at  Y'ork,  is  worthy  of  special  com- 


320 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


ment  and  recognition.  W  hen  tliat  body 
arrived  here  during  tlie  last  days  of  Septem- 
ber, 1777,  in  the  language  of  one  of  the  most 
distinguished  of  its  members,  "darkness  and 
gloom  surrounded  our  country  on  every 
side."  Now  all  the  bells  of  the  country 
were  ringing  a  paean  of  praise  and  thanks- 
giving, and  the  people  of  the  United  States 
were  firm  in  the  hope  and  expectation  that 
ere  long  the  fathers  of  the  republic  and  the 
leaders  of  the  American  army  in  the  field, 
would  soon  found  on  this  continent,  "a  new 
nation,  conceived  in  liberty  and  dedicated 
to  the  proposition  that  all  men  are  created 
free  and  equal."  Whatever  might  be  said 
of  the  efTorts  put  forth  by  the  American 
statesmen  in  Congress  during  the  eventful 
years  of  1777-1778,  there  was  one  fact  that 
will  always  be  recorded  in  the  pages  of  his- 
tory. They  often  disagreed  on  the  manner 
of  conducting  a  campaign.  They  had  fre- 
quently opposed  \\'ashington"s  plan  of 
operations,  and  many  of  them,  before  he 
had  risen  to  eminence  as  a  soldier,  had 
favored  his  removal  from  the  chief  com- 
mand. But  during  the  darkest  period 
which  always  comes  before  the  dawn,  those 
illustrious  men  who  legislated  for  our  coun- 
try during  its  earliest  years,  had  banded 
themselves  together  with  one  aim  and  one 
purpose,  and  that  was  to  defeat  the  British 
troops  in  America  and  establish  the  freedom 
of  the  colonies. 

On  the  following  Sunday,  after  the  re- 
ceipt of  the  news  from  Washington  that  the 
enemy  had  left  the  Federal  city  of  Phila- 
delphia, the  Court  House  bell  in  Centre 
Square  rang  with  glad  acclaim,  as  also  did 
the  bells  of  the  Reformed  and  Lutheran 
churches.  Rev.  George  DufBeld,  then  the 
chaplain  to  Congress,  preached  a  sermon  in 
the  Reformed  church.  A  vast  number  of 
people  assembled  to  hear  him.  The  dis- 
tinguished divine  was  filled  with  emotion, 
but  his  eloquent  and  prophetic  words  were 
received  with  such  public  favor  that  the 
audience  could  scarce  refrain  from  applause. 
During  that  eventful  Sunday  afternoon,  as 
the  patriots  from  the  thirteen  states  met 
each  other  on  the  streets,  public  inns  or  at 
the  places  where  they  lodged,  congratula- 
tions were  exchanged. 

Rev.  Nicholas  Kurtz,  then  the 
A  Pastor's  pastor  of  Christ  Lutheran 
Patriotism.     Church,   spoke  to  his  congre- 


gation in  his  native  German  tongue  with 
great  impressiveness.  When  the  war 
opened,  Pastor  Kurtz  \Aas  troubled  about 
the  oath  of  allegiance  he  had  taken  to 
the  King  of  England  when  he  arrived  in 
this  country,  in  1745,  but  in  1776,  his  con- 
science became  clear  and  he  was  natural- 
ized under  the  first  constitution  of  Pennsyl- 
vania adopted  that  year.  So  firm  was  he  in 
his  patriotism,  that  when  Congress  came  to 
York,  September,  1777,  he  invited  Bishop 
William  White,  then  the  chaplain  to  Con- 
gress, to  lodge  at  his  parsonage  on  North 
George  Street.  He  also  entertained  repre- 
sentatives from  the  French  government, 
and  a  delegate  in  Congress  from  South 
Carolina.  The  large  audience  room  of  his 
stone  church,  on  South  George  Street,  was 
filled  to  overflowing  to  hear  the  eloquent 
words  of  their  pastor  on  this  occasion.  The 
Germans  of  York  and  elsewhere  in  Penn- 
sylvania had  earl}^  proved  their  loyalty  to 
the  cause  of  independence  by  enlisting  in 
the  army.  Rev.  John  Ettwein,  afterward 
for  twenty  years  the  senior  bishop  of  the 
Moravian  Church  in  America,  was  then  a 
visitor  at  York  to  confer  with.  Congress 
about  some  affairs  relating  to  the  Mora- 
vians. He  records  in  his  diary  that  the 
"daily  text  (i  Cor.  x,  13)  came  to  us  with 
special  power,  considering  the  event  which 
has  happened  in  Philadelphia,  and  the  de- 
liverance of  this  state  from  the  yoke  of  the 
British  king.  Families  who  fled  from 
Philadelphia,  today  began  to  return.'.' 

On  June  20,  Congress  ordered  that  the 
several  boards  of  Congress  should  put 
themselves  in  readiness  to  remove  from 
York.  It  was  resolved  to  emit  $5,000,000 
in  Continental  money.  Soon  after  the  first 
session  was  held  in  York,  Congress  had 
taken  up  for  consideration  the  adoption  of 
the  Articles  of  Confederation,  which  had 
been  passed  on  November  15,  1777.  Con- 
gress called  upon  the  delegates  present  to 
report  what  action  had  been  taken  by  their 
respective  states  upon  the  ratification  of 
these  articles.  Owing  to  a  controversy 
which  had  arisen  in  the  Legislattire  of 
Maryland  in  reference  to  its  western 
boundaries,  the  delegates  from  that  state 
reported  that  their  constituents  opposed 
the  ratification  of  the  Articles  of  Confeder- 
ation until  these  difficulties  were  removed. 
This  was  the  beginning  of  a  long  discussion 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS  AT  YORK 


3^1 


which  ended  in  the  }-ear  1781.  when  Mary- 
land was  the  last  state  to  ratify  them. 

June  23,  Titus  Hosmer,  of  Con- 
Ratifying     necticut,  arrived  and    took    his 

the  seat  in  Congress.     Josiah  Bart- 

Articles,  lett,  from  New  Hampshire,  re- 
ported that  his  state,  by  vote  of 
the  legislature,  had  ratified  the  Articles  of 
Confederation.  The  delegates  from  New 
York  reported  that  their  state  had  ratified 
the  Articles  with  the  pro\iso  that  the  same 
shall  not  be  binding  on  the  state  until  all 
the  other  states  in  the  Union  should  ratify 
them.  The  delegates  of  ^Massachusetts. 
Connecticut  and  Rhode  Island  reported 
that  the  legislatures  of  their  states  had 
found  objections  to  the  Articles,  and  asked 
amendments,  which  propositions  were  de- 
cided in  the  negative  by  Congress. 

On  June  24,  a  resolution  was  adopted 
that  Congress  should  adjourn  on  Saturday, 
June  27,  from  York  to  Philadelphia,  to  meet 
in  Independence  Hall,  on  July  2.  A  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  take  measures  for 
a  public  celebration  of  the  anniversary  of 
independence,  at  Philadelphia,  on  the  4th 
of  July  next,  and  were  authorized  and  di- 
rected to  invite  the  president  and  council 
and  speaker  of  the  Assembly  of  the  Com- 
monwealth of  Pennsylvania,  and  such  other 
people  of  distinction  as  they  should  think 
proper.  This  committee  was  composed  of 
William  Duer,  of  New  York;  John  Han- 
cock, of  Massachusetts,  and  John  Mat- 
thews, of  South  Carolina.  It  was  resoh'ed 
"that  Congress  will,  in  a  body,  attend  divine 
worship  on  Sunday  the  fifth  day  of  July 
next,  to  rettirn  thanks  for  the  divine  mercy 
in  supporting  the  independence  of  these 
states,  and  that  the  chaplains  be  notified  to 
officiate  and  preach  sermons  suited  to  the 
occasion." 

Colonel  Hartley's  Regiment,  which  had 
served  as  a  guard  to  Congress  for  several 
months,  left  York  for  Washington's  camp 
in  two  battalions,  the  first  going  on  Janu- 
ary 17,  and  the  other  on  June  24.  On  June 
25,  a  letter  from  North  Carolina  reported 
that  the  state  had  ratified  the  Articles  of 
Confederation.  Richard  Henry  Lee,  Gouv- 
erneur  Morris  and  Francis  Dana  were  ap- 
pointed a  committee  to  prepare  a  form  of 
ratification  of  the  Articles  of  Confederation. 
On  the  following  day,  this  committee 
brought  in  a  draught,  which  was  agreed  to. 


and  a  resolution  was  adopted  that  the  .\r- 
ficles  should  be  engrossed  and  signed  before 
leaving  York.  This  engrossed  copy  was 
prepared  and  brought  before  Congress,  but 
was  found  to  be  incorrect.  It  was  then  re- 
solved that  another  copy  be  made,  which 
was  signed  on  July  9,  at  Philadelphia,  by 
delegates  in  Congress  from  all  the  original 
thirteen  states  excepting  New  Jersey,  Dela- 
ware, Maryland,  North  Carolina  and 
Georgia.  The  last  two  were  not  at  that 
time  represented  in  Congress. 

Martin  Brenise,  of  York,  was  voted  $45 
for  attending  Congress  from  the  ist  to  the 
27th  of  June,  and  for  ringing  the  bell.  John 
Fisher,  the  original  clock-maker  of  York, 
who  was  also  an  engraver,  was  ordered  to 
be  paid  for  renewing  two  copper  plates  for 
loan  office  certificates,  and  making  two  let- 
ters in  the  device  of  the  30  dollar  bills. 

A  communication  from  Colonel  ^lichael 
Swope,  of  York,  was  read  before  Congress. 
He  had  been  captured  at  Fort  Washington 
in  November,  1776,  and  was  still  a  ])risoner 
of  war. 

The  day  after  Congress  adjourned  at 
York  most  of  the  delegates  prepared  to 
leave.  They  crossed  the  Susquehanna  at 
the  site  of  Wrightsville,  and  proceeded  over 
the  direct  route  to  Philadelphia.  Citizens 
from  Philadelphia  and  vicinity,  who  had  fled 
to  Lancaster,  York  and  elsewhere  when  the 
British  entered  that  city,  now  returned  to 
their  homes.  Congress  again  convened  at 
Independence  Hall. 

William  Ellery,  a  delegate  from  Rhode 
Island,  wrote  an  interesting  account  of  his 
trip  to  Philadelphia  after  leaving  York, 
June  28,  1778.  He  was  accompanied  by 
Eldridge  Gerry  and  Francis  Dana,  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, and  Richard  Hutson,  of  South 
Carolina.  In  giving  a  report  of  his  trip  he 
stated  that  they  went  to  Philadelphia  by 
way  of  Wilmington  and  Chester  because  all 
the  public  inns  would  be  occupied  at  night 
by  other  delegates  and  people  who  were  re- 
turning to  their  homes  in  Philadelphia, 
after  that  city  had  been  evacuated  by  the 
British.  They  crossed  the  Susquehanna 
River  at  McCall's  Ferry.  With  some  other 
delegates  and  citizens  they  celebrated  July 
4,  at  Citv  Tavern,  Philadelphia. 

IMICH.A.EL  HILLEGAS,  treasurer  of 
the  United  States  during  the  time  that 
Congress  held  its  first    sessions    at    York, 


21 


322 


HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUXTY,   PEXXSYLVAXIA 


was  born  in  Pliiladelphia  in  1728,  of  Ger- 
man parentage.  He  had  served  with 
prominence  as  a  member  of  the  Provincial 
Assembly,  and  when  hostilities  opened 
with  the  mother  country,  in  1775,  he  was  a 
member  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  his 
native  city.  He  was  chosen  as  treasurer  of 
the  United  States  soon  after  the  adoption 
of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  and 
held  that  office  until  1789,  a  period  of 
thirteen  years.  This  trust  was  one  of  great 
responsibility,  and  his  faithful  services  to 
his  country  through  those  long  years  of 
Revolutionary  struggle  command  the  ad- 
miration of  every  true  American.  Pos- 
sessed of  ample  means,  his  devotion  to  his 
country  stamps  him  as  a  pure  patriot.  In 
1780,  Michael  Hillegas  was  one  of  the 
original  subscribers  to  the  Bank  of  Penn- 
sylvania, organized  chiefly  for  the  relief  of 
the  government,  his  subscription  being 
4,000  pounds.  He  was  one  of  the  original 
members  of  the  American  Philosophical 
Society,  and  died  on  September  29,  1804. 

CHARLES  THOMPSON,  secretary  to 
Continental  Congress  at  York,  was  born  in 
Ireland,  in  1729,  and  came  to  America  in 
1740.  He  obtained  a  liberal  education  and' 
conducted  a  classical  school  at  New  Castle, 
Delaware.  In  1774.  he  was  married  to  a 
sister  of  Benjamin  Harrison,  a  signer  of  the 
Declaration  of  Independence,  from  Vir- 
ginia, and  settled  in  Philadelphia.  The 
same  year  he  was  elected  secretary  to  the 
first  Continental  Congress  and  held  that 
position  continuously  until  the  adoption  of 
the  National  Constitution  in  1789.  When 
Congress  adjourned  from  Philadelphia  to 
York,  he  accompanied  that  body  and  was 
influential  in  all  the  legislation  passed  while 
in  session  here.  When  John  Hancock  re- 
signed the  presidency,  Thompson  presided 
over  Congress  until  Laurens  was  inducted 
into  office.  During  his  long  career  in  the 
secretaryship,  he  kept  voluminous  notes  of 
the  proceedings  of  Congress.  These  he  in- 
tended to  publish  in  permanent  form,  but 
changed  his  mind  and  destroyed  all  his 
manuscripts,  fearing  that  the  reflections  he 
might  cast  upon  some  of  the  eminent 
might  affect  the  future  history  of  the  coun- 
try. He  was  the  author  of  several  books 
and  pamphlets,  mostly  of  a  religious  char- 
acter. Late  in  life,  he  resided  at  his  country 
home     in     Lower     Merion,     Montgomery 


County,  and  died  there  in  1824,  at  the  age 
of  95.  ' 

DEATH  OF  PHILIP  LIVINGSTON. 

The  death  of  Philip  Livingston,  the 
distinguished  patriot  and  signer  of  the 
Declaration  of  Independence,  was  the  sad- 
dest event  recorded  during  the  sessions  of 
Congress  at  York.  This  occurred  early  on 
the  morning  of  June  12,  1778.  He  had  been 
re-elected  a  delegate  to  Congress  from  the 
State  of  New  York.  At  this  time  Livings- 
ton's health  was  in  a  precarious  condition, 
but  Governor  Clinton  urged  that  he  repair 
at  once  to  Congress  in  order  to  take  the 
place  of  a  retiring  member.  It  seemed  ne- 
cessary that  Livingston  should  make  the 
long  journey  in  his  enfeebled  condition. 

He  bade  farewell  to  his  family  and 
Arrives     friends,  and  started  on  horseback 

at  with  a  single  companion  and  ar- 

York.  rived  at  York,  May  4,  1778.  On 
the  following  day.  Congress  re- 
ceived the  encouraging  news  that  the  King 
of  France  had  formed  a  treaty  of  Amity 
and  Commerce  and  a  treaty  of  Alliance 
with  the  United  States.  The  people 
of  the  inland  town  of  York  and  the 
distinguished  patriots  then  in  session  here, 
were  in  ecstasy  over  the  news  which  had 
been  sent  to  Congress  by  Benjamin  Frank- 
lin, the  American  commissioner  at  Paris. 
Livingston  joined  in  this  rejoicing  and  on 
the  same  day  took  his  seat  in  Congress. 
Init  the  effect  of  the  journey  caused  a  re- 
lapse two  days  later.  In  his  humble  lodg- 
ings at  a  village  inn  he  was  tenderly  cared 
for  by  his  fellow  delegates.  There  were 
four  members  in  Congress  at  that  time  who 
were  physicians,  and  with  eager  interest 
they  watched  his  condition  and  rendered 
all  medical  aid  that  was  possible.  These 
men  were  Josiali  Bartlett,  of  New  Hamp- 
shire; Oliver  Wolcott,  of  Connecticut: 
Jonathan  Elmer,  of  New  Jersey,  and  Joseph 
Jones,  of  Virginia. 

Henry  Livingston,  one  of  his  sons,  was 
then  serving  as  an  aide  on  the  staff  of  Gen- 
eral Washington,  at  Valley  Forge.  A 
courier  was  sent  in  haste  to  this  encamp- 
ment to  notify  the  son  of  his  father's  illness. 
Colonel  Livingston  immediately  came  to 
York.  The  ravages  of  disease  had  borne 
hard  on  the  system  of  his  father,  and  after 
a  lingering  sickness  of  a  little  more  than 


PHILIP   LIVINGSTON 


Signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  who  died  and 
is  buried  at  York 


COXTIXEXTAL  CONGRESS  AT  YORK 


one  niontli,  Philip  IJ\ing'ston  died  in  the 
sixty-third  year  of  his  age.  Gouverneur 
Morris,  another  Xew  York  delegate  then  in 
Congress,  three  days  after  Livingston's 
death,  dispatched  Governor  Clinton,  of 
Xew  York,  a  letter  in  which  he  said  in  part : 
"I  am  sorr\'  to  inform  your  Excellency 
and  the  State  of  Xew  York  of  the  death  of 
my  worthy  colleague,  Philip  Livingston. 
Almost  immediately  after  his  arrival  here 
at  York,  he  was  confined  to  his  room  with. 
a  dangerous  malady  from  which  time  there 
seemed  to  be  no  chances  of  recovery.  He 
grew  steadily  worse  and  on  Friday  last,  at 
4  o'clock  in  the  morning,  paid  the  last  debt 
to  nature." 

Philip  Livingston  died  of  dropsy. 
His  His  body  was  taken  in  charge  by 
Burial.  Francis  Lewis,  Gouverneur  Morris 
and  William  Duer,  the  other  dele- 
gates from  Xew  York,  and  buried  at  6 
o'clock  on  the  evening  of  the  day  of  his 
death.  The  Rev.  Dr.  George  Duffield,  then 
chaplain  of  Congress,  officiated  at  this  sad 
funeral.  By  invitation  of  Congress,  the 
three  village  pastors  were  present,  Xicholas 
Kurtz,  representing  the  Lutheran  congre- 
gation ;  John  Ettwein,  the  INIoravian,  and 
Daniel  \\'agner.  the  German  Reformed. 
The  entire  delegation  in  Congress  attended 
the  funeral,  each  with  crepe  around  the 
arm,  which,  by  resolution,  they  were  re- 
quired to  wear  for  a  period  of  thirty  days. 
The  remains  of  the  distinguished  dead  were 
buried  in  the  graveyard  to  the  rear  of  the 
German  Reformed  Church,  on  West  i\Iar- 
ket  Street.  York,  just  as  the  sun  was  sink- 
ing behind  the  western  horizon. 

The  remains  of  Philip  Livingston  lay  en- 
tombed in  the  Reformed  Churchyard  at 
York,  for  a  period  of  seventy-eight  years. 
January,  1856,  they  were  removed  to 
Prospect  Hill  cemetery,  a  short  distance 
north  of  York,  where  they  now  lie.  the  spot 
being  marked  by  a  marble  shaft,  on  the  face 
of  which  is  the  following  inscription: 

Sacred 

To  the  niemorv  of  the  Honornble 

PHILIP  LIVINGSTON', 

Who  died  June  12,  1778, 

Aged  63  years. 

While   attending   the   Congress   of  the 

United     States,     at     York     Town, 

Penna.,    as    a     Delegate    from 

the  State  of  Xew  York. 

Eminently     distinguished     for     his     talents 

and    rectitude,   he   deservedly    enjoyed 


the  confidence  of  his  country,  and 

the  love  and  veneration  of  his 

friends     and     children. 

This   monument   erected   by 

His  Grandson, 

Stephen  Van  Renssalaer. 

Livingston  was  born  at  Albany,  January 
15,  1716,  and  was  the  youngest  of  four  sons. 
His  great-grandfather  was  a  celebrated 
divine  in  the  church  of  Scotland  and  his 
grandfather,  after  emigrating  to  America, 
came  into  possession  of  a  large  manor  on 
the  Hudson.  At  his  death,  this  manor  was 
inherited  by  Philip  Livingston,  father  of 
the  signer.  Philip  Livingston,  the  son,  was 
gifted  with  extraordinary  mental  endow- 
ments, and  after  his  graduation  from  Yale 
College,  in  1737,  became  a  prosperous 
merchant  in  the  city  of  Xew  York.  He 
served  nine  years  as  an  alderman  and  was  a 
member  of  the  Colonial  Assemblv  durinsi 
the  French  and  Lidian  war.  At  the  open- 
ing of  the  Revolution,  Livingston  became 
an  ardent  patriot  and  was  one  of  the 
earliest  in  Xew  York  to  oppose  British  op- 
pression and  favor  the  freedom  of  the 
colonies.  L:  1774,  he  was  chosen  a  member 
of  the  first  Continental  Congress  which  met 
at  Carpenter's  Hall,  Philadelphia,  and  was 
re-elected  to  the  second  Congress  which 
convened  at  the  same  place  the  following 
year.  In  1776,  he  was  one  of  the  fifty-six 
persons  who  signed  the  Declaration  of  In- 
dependence. 

On  June  14,  1778,  the  following  touching 
letter  was  written  at  York  to  Dr.  Thomas 
Jones,  by  Henry  Philip  Livingston,  a  son  of 
the  statesman,  who  was  the  second  of  the 
signers  to  die  since  they  had  penned  their 
names  to  the  Declaration  of  Independence 
at  Philadelphia,  July  8,  1776: 

I  sincerely  lament  that  Providence  has  made  it  neces- 
sary to  address  my  friends  on  so  mournful  an  occasion 
as  the  present.  Oh,  for  words  to  soften  their  distress 
and  lessen  the  bitter  pangs  of  grief.  I  feel  myself  un- 
equal to  the  duty  and  utterly  at  a  loss  what  to  say. 

]\Iy  dear  friend,  have  you  received  my  letter  of  the 
nth?  It  was  written  with  intent  to  prepare  the  minds 
of  the  family  for  the  melancholy  subject  of  this,  and  to 
prevent  in  some  measure  the  eflfccts  of  a  too  sudden 
impression.  L"nhappily,  my  apprehensions  were  not  ill 
founded,  for  the  disorder  was  too  malignant  and  ob- 
stinate to  struggle  with. 

Must  I  tell  you !  My  dear  father  expired  early  on 
the  morning  of  the  12th,  and  was  buried  the  same 
evening.  The  funeral  was  conducted  in  a  manner  suit- 
able to  his  worth  and  station,  being  attended  by  all  the 
military  in  town,  the  Congress,  the  strangers  of  distinc- 
tion, and  the  most  respectable  citizens. 

My  dear  mother  and  sister,  grieve  not  immoderately 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY,   PEXXSYLVAXIA 


even  at  the  loss  of  an  excellent  husband  and  parent. 
Consider  that  worth  and  excellence  cannot  exempt  one 
from  the  lot  of  human  nature,  for  no  sooner  do  we  enter 
the  world  than  we  begin  to  leave  it.  It  is  not  only 
natural  but  commendable  to  regret  the  loss  of  so  tender 
a  connection,  but  what  can  an  excess  of  sorrow  avail. 

I  hope  to  set  off  for  Hurly  in  two  or  three  days,  and 
1  hope,  dear  sir,  by  your  influence  and  consolation  to 
find  the  family  as  composed  as  this  distressing  event  will 
allow. 

BARON  STEUBEN  AT  YORK. 

Baron  Steuben,  the  distinguished  Ger- 
man officer,  came  to  York  in  February, 
1778.  He  was  enthusiastically  received  by 
Congress  and  the  officers  of  the  army  then 
here.  Steuben,  who  was  48  years  of  age. 
had  won  fame  as  a  soldier  in  the  Seven 
Years'  War,  for  German  liberty,  and  also 
had  served  as  an  aide  on  the  staff  of  Fred- 
erick the  Great  of  Prussia.  He  was  one  of 
the  best  trained  soldiers  of  Europe,  and  the 
object  in  bringing  him  here  was  to  train 
the  American  soldiers  in  the  tactics  used  by 
the  triumphant  armies  of  Frederick  the 
Great.  Steuben  wa«  induced  by  St.  Ger- 
main, the  French  minister  of  war,  to  join 
the  American  cause,  while  on  a  visit  to 
Paris  in  the  fall  of  1777.  Although  he  held 
high  rank  in  the  Prussian  army,  he  entered 
into  an  arrangement  with  the  French  min- 
ister to  sail  for  the  United  States.  Embark- 
ing in  a  French  gunboat,  under  the  name  of 
Frank,  he  set  sail  from  Marseilles,  Decem- 
ber II,  1777,  and  after  a  stormy  passage  of 
fifty-five  days,  arrived  at  Portsmouth,  New 
Hampshire,  from  which  town  he  proceeded 
to  Boston.  On  Decemljer  6,  five  days  after 
his  arrival  at  Portsmouth,  Steuben  ad- 
ilressed  the  following  letter  to  Congress  at 
York :  v 

Honorable  Gentlemen  : — The  honor  of 
Writes  serving  a  nation,  engaged  in  the  noble 

enterprise   of  defending  its   rights   and 

to  liberties,   was  the  motive  that  brought 

ConoresS.        ™^  'o   '^'^'^   continent.      I    ask    neither 

'^  riches  nor  titles.     I  am  come  here  from 

the  remotest  end  of  Germany,  at  my 
own  expense,  and  have  given  up  an  honorable  and  lucra- 
tive rank.  I  have  made  no  conditions  with  your  depu- 
ties in  Paris,  nor  shall  I  make  any  with  you.  My  only 
ambition  is  to  serve  you  as  a  volunteer,  to  deserve  the 
confidence  of  your  general-in-chief,  and  to  follow  him 
in  all  his  operations,  as  I  have  done  during  seven  cam- 
paigns with  the  King  of  Prussia.  Two  and  twenty 
years  spent  in  such  a  school  seem  to  give  me  a  right  of 
thinking  myself  among  the  number  of  experienced 
officers;  and  if  I  am  possessed  of  the  acquirements  in 
the  arts  of  war,  they  will  be  much  more  prized  by  me 
if  I  can  employ  them  in  the  service  of  a  republic  such 
as  I  hope  soon  to  see  in  America.  I  would  willingly 
purchase,  at  the  expense  of  my  blood,  the  honor  of 
having  my  name  enrolled  among  those  of  the  defenders 


of  your  liberty.  Your  gracious  acceptance  will  be  suffi- 
cient for  me,  and  I  ask  no  other  favor  than  to  be  re- 
ceived among  your  officers.  I  venture  to  hope  that  you 
will  grant  this  my  request,  and  that  you  will  be  so  good 
as  to  send  me  your  orders  to  Boston,  where  I  shall 
await  them,  and  take  suitable  measures  in  accordance. 

On  January  14,  immediately  after  receiv- 
ing the  letter  from  Steuben,  Congress 
unanimously  passed  the  following  resolu- 
tion : 

"Whereas,  Baron  Steuben,  a  lieutenant- 
general  in  foreign  service,  has  in  a  most  dis- 
interested and  heroic  manner,  offered  his 
services  to  these  states  in  the  quality  of  a 
volunteer, 

"Resolved,  That  the  president  present 
the  thanks  of  Congress,  in  behalf  of  these 
United  States,  to  Baron  Steuben,  for  the 
zeal  he  has  shown,  for  the  cause  of  America, 
and  the  disinterested  tender  he  has  been 
pleased  to  make  of  his  military  talents;  and 
inform  him,  that  Congress  cheerfully  ac- 
cepts of  his  service  as  a  volunteer  in  the 
army  of  these  states,  and  wish  him  to  repair 
to  General  ^Vashington's  headquarters  as 
soon  as  convenient." 

On  the  same  day  that  Steu- 
Letter  to        ben   wrote   to   Congress,  he 
Washington,     addressed  the  following  let- 
ter to  Washington : 

Sir : — The  enclosed  copy  of  a  letter,  the  original  of 
which  I  shall  have  the  honor  to  present  to  your  Excel- 
lency, will  inform  you  of  the  motives  that  brought  me 
over  to  this  land.  I  shall  only  add  to  it,  that  the  object 
of  my  greatest  ambition  is  to  render  your  country  all 
the  service  in  my  power,  and  to  deserve  the  title  of  a 
citizen  of  America,  by  fighting  for  the  cause  of  your 
liberty.  If  the  distinguished  ranks  in  which  I  liave 
served  in  Europe  should  be  an  obstacle,  I  had  rather 
serve  under  your  Excellency  as  a  volunteer,  than  to  be 
an  object  of  discontent  to  such  deserving  officers  as 
have  already  distinguished  themselves  among  you.  Such 
being  the  sentiments  I  have  always  professed,  I  dare 
hope  that  the  respectable  Congress  of  the  United  States 
of  America  will  accept  my  services.  I  could  say,  more- 
over, were  it  not  for  the  fear  of  offending  your  modesty, 
that  your  Excellency  is  the  only  person  under  whom, 
after  having  served  the  King  of  Prussia,  I  could  wish 
to  follow  a  profession,  to  the  study  of  which  I  have 
wholly  devoted  myself.  I  intend  to  go  to  Boston  in  a 
few  days,  where  I  shall  present  my  letters  to  Mr.  Han- 
cock, member  of  Congress,  and  there  I  shall  await  your 
Excellency's  orders. 

Steuben  left  Portsmouth  on  the 
Meets  1 2th  of  December,  1777,  and  set 
Hancock,  out  for  Boston,  where  he  ar- 
rived on  the  14th,  and  was  re- 
ceived as  cordially  as  at  the  former  place. 
He  met  there  John  Hancock,  who  had  just 
retired  from  the  presidency  of  Congress, 
and  received  Washington's  reply  to  his  let- 


CONTIXEXTAL  CONGRESS  AT  YORK 


32.5 


ter,  by  which  he  was  informed  that  he  must 
repair  without  delay  to  York,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  Congress  was  then  sitting, 
since  it  belonged  exclusively  to  that  body 
to  enter  into  negotiations  with  him.  At  the 
same  time,  Hancock  communicated  to 
Steuben  an  order  of  Congress,  that  every 
preparation  should  be  made  to  make  him 
and  his  attendants  comfortable  on  their 
journey  to  York,  and  ^Ir.  Hancock  himself, 
with  great  care,  made  all  the  necessary  ar- 
rangements. Carriages,  sleighs  and  saddle 
horses  were  provided,  five  negroes  were  as- 
signed to  them  as  grooms  and  drivers,  and 
an  agent  to  prepare  quarters  and  procure 
provisions. 

Duponceau,       the       learned 

Duponceau's     Frenchman.      who      accom- 

Story.  panied  Steuben  to    America 

as  his  secretary  and  inter- 
preter, after  the  Revolution  remained  in  this 
country,  locating  in  Philadelphia.  In  1836 
he  published  the  following  description  of 
their  trip  from  Boston  to  York : 

"Our  party  consisted  of  Baron  Steulien 
and  his  servant,  Carl  Vogel,  a  young  lad 
wliom  he  had  brought  from  Germany,  ^Ir. 
De  Francy,  an  agent  of  Beaumarchais,  and 
myself.  \\'e  traveled  on  horseback.  Not- 
withstanding the  recent  capture  of  General 
Burg03'ne,  the  situation  of  the  United 
States  at  that  time  was  extremely  critical. 
The  enemy  was  in  possession  of  Rhode 
Island,  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  with 
well-organized  and  disciplined  troops,  far 
superior  to  our  own.  Our  army  (if  army  it 
might  be  called)  was  encamped  at  Valley 
Forge,  in  the  depth  of  a  severe  winter, 
without  proxisions.  without  clothes,  with- 
out regular  discipline,  destitute,  in  short,  of 
everything  but  courage  and  patriotism  ;  and 
what  was  worse  than  all,  disaffection  was 
spreading  through  the  land.  In  this  dismal 
state  of  things  the  baron  was  advised  to 
keep  as  far  from  the  coast  as  possible,  lest 
he  should  be  surprised  by  parties  of  the 
enemy  or  b}'  the  Tories,  who  made  fre- 
quent incursions  into  the  country  between 
New  York  and  Philadelphia.  We,  there- 
fore, shaped  our  course  westward,  and 
crossing  the  states  of  Massachusetts,  Con- 
necticut, New  York  and  Penns\-lvania,  we 
employed  about  three  weeks  in  a  journey  of 
410  miles  in  all.  which  at  present  would 
hardh-  reciuire  as  manv  davs." 


They  stopped  on  their  way,  on 
Reaches  Sunday,  the  i8th  of  January,  at 
York.  Springfield,  on  the  20th  at  Hart- 
ford, on  the  28th  at  Fishkill,  on 
Thursday,  the  30th,  at  Bethlehem,  on  the 
2d  of  Februar}'  at  Reading,  on  the  4th  at 
INIanheim,  and  arrived  on  Thursday,  the 
5th,  at  York,  and  remained  here  until  the 
19th  of  February.  In  his  narrative,  Du- 
ponceau relates  several  incidents  of  their 
trip  to  York.  Among  these  is  the  amusing 
story  of  their  experience  at  Manheim,  in 
Lancaster  County,  where  they  lodged  for 
the  night  before  coming  to  York. 

"A  great  number  of  inns,  in  towns  and 
countries,  bore  the  sign  of  the  King  of 
Prussia,  who  was  still  very  popular,  par- 
ticularly among  the  Germans.  I  remember 
that  at  Manheim  the  baron,  with  a  signifi- 
cant look,  pointed  out  to  me,  at  the  tavern 
where  we  dined,  a  paltry  engraving  hung 
up  on  the  wall,  on  which  was  represented 
a  Prussian  knocking  down  a  Frenchman  in 
great  style.  Underneath  was  the  following 
motto : 
"  'Ein    Franzmann    zum    Preuzen   -wie    eine 

Meucke.' 
"  'A  Frenchman  to  a  Prussian  is  no  more 
than  a  mosquito.' 

"The  good  baron  appeared  to  enjoy  that 

picture  exceedingly,  and  so,  no  doubt,  did 

the  German  landlord  to  whom  it  l:>elonged.'" 

In  a  letter  written  to  Baron  de 

Steuben's     Frank,     dated     July     4.     1779. 

Own  Baron  Steuben,  from  his  head- 

Story,        quarters    on    the    Hudson,  thu~ 
describes  his  visit  to  York: 

"The  arrangements  of  my  equipage  de- 
tained me  more  than  five  weeks  in  Boston, 
so  that  I  could  not  set  out  for  York  before 
the  14th  of  January.  I  was  received  there 
with  the  most  distinguished  attentions.  A 
house  was  reserved  for  my  use,  and  a  guard 
of  honor  placed  before  tlie  door.  A  day 
after  my  arrival.  Congress  inquired, 
through  a  committee  of  three  members,  the 
terms  on  which  I  proposed  to  enter  the 
service.  My  answer  was,  that  I  had  no  wish 
to  make  anv  arrangements  or  terms;  that  T 
wished  to  make  tlie  campaign  as  a  volun- 
teer, desiring  neither  rank  nor  pay  for  my- 
self, and  only  commissions  for  the  ofificers 
of  my  suite.  This  was  agreed  to  by  Con- 
gress, as  I  had  expected.  A  resolution  of 
tlianks.  in  the  most  obliging  terms,  was  re- 


,26 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANLV 


turned,  \\ith  an  offer  of  defraying  all  my 
expenses.  My  officers  received  their  com- 
missions, and  even  my  secretary  was 
gratified  with  the  rank  and  the  pay  of  a 
captain. 

"I  will  here  observe,  that  in  the  military 
organization  of  the  states,  the  highest  rank 
is  that  of  major-general,  Washington  is 
the  oldest  major-general,  being  at  the  same 
time  invested,  in  his  quality  of  commander- 
in-chief,  with  all  the  privileges  of  a  general 
field  marshal  in  Europe.  His  authority  is 
as  unlimited  as  that  of  a  Stadtholder  in  Hol- 
land can  be.  The  other  major-generals, 
whose  number  does  not  at  present  surpass 
nine,  are  the  commanders  of  corps,  armies, 
wings  and  divisions.  General  Gates  is  com- 
mander of  the  Northern  army.  General 
Lincoln  of  the  Southern  army,  and  General 
Sullivan  of  the  forces  against  the  Indians. 
All  are  under  the  orders  of  the  com- 
mander-in-chief. The  second  rank  is  that 
of  a  general  of  brigade.  They  are  the  com- 
manders of  brigades,  like  the  major-gen- 
erals in  European  armies. 

"Upon  my  arrival  in  the  camp,  I  was 
again  the  object  of  more  honors  than  I  was 
entitled  to.  General  Washington  came 
several  miles  to  meet  me  on  the  road,  and 
accompanied  me  to  my  quarters,  where  I 
found  an  officer  with  twenty-five  men  as  a 
guard  of  honor.  AVhen  I  declined  this,  say- 
ing that  I  wished  to  be  considered  merely 
as  a  volunteer,  the  general  answered  me  in 
the  politest  words,  that  'The  whole  army 
would  be  gratified  to  stand  sentinel  for  such 
volunteers.'  He  introduced  me  to  Major- 
General  Stirling  and  several  other  generals. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Ternant  and  Major 
\\'alker  were  both  appointed  by  Congress 
as  my  adjutant-generals.  On  the  same  day 
my  name  was  given  as  a  watchword.  The 
following  day  the  army  was  mustered,  and 
General  Washington  accompanied  me  to 
review  it." 

General  Lafayette  had  left  York  a  few 
days  before  Steuben's  arrival.  General 
Gates,  who  had  been  appointed  president  of 
the  Board  of  War,  came  here  on  January  19. 
The  fame  of  Steuben  had  preceded  him  to 
York.  He  was  welcomed  and  courted  by 
all,  and  General  Gates,  in  particular,  paid 
him  the  most  assiduous  court,  and  e\-en  in- 
\ited  him  to  make  his  house  his  home, 
which  he  declined.     In  a  letter  \\'ritten  to 


John  Hancock  the  day  after  his  arrival  at 
York,  Steuben  says : 

"Please  to  accept  ni}-  grateful  thanks  for 
all  the  kindness  you  have  shown  me  during 
my  stay  in  Boston.  In  this  very  moment  I 
enjoy  the  good  eff'ects  of  it,  having  taken 
the  liberty  of  quartering  myself  in  an  apart- 
ment of  your  house  in  this  town.  My 
journey  has  been  extremely  painful;  but  the 
kind  reception  I  have  met  with  from  Con- 
gress and  General  Gates  on  my  arrival  here, 
have  made  me  soon  forget  those  past  incon- 
veniences. Now,  sir,  I  am  an  American, 
and  an  American  for  life;  your  nation  has 
become  as  dear  to  me  as  your  cause  already 
was.  You  know  that  my  pretensions  are 
very  moderate ;  I  have  submitted  them  to  a 
committee  sent  to  me  by  Congress.  They 
seem  to  be  satisfied,  and  so  am  I,  and  shall 
be  the  more  so,  when  I  find  the  opportunity 
to  render  all  the  services  in  my  power  to  the 
United  States  of  America.  Three  mem- 
bers of  Congress  have  been  appointed  for 
concluding  an  arrangement  with  me  tomor- 
row;  that  w^ill  not  take  long,  my  only  claims 
being  the  confidence  of  your  general-in- 
chief." 

Freiderich    Kapp,    the    biog- 

Interviewed     rapher     of     Steuben,     in     re- 

by  ferring  to  the  Committee  of 

Committee.      Congress  appointed    to    wait 

upon  the  Baron,  says: 

"The  committee  of  Congress  mentioned 
b}'  Steuljen,  which  was  composed  of  Doctor 
AVitherspoon,  the  chairman,  and  only  per- 
son who  spoke  French,  Messrs.  Henry,  of 
Maryland,  and  Thomas  McKean,  waited 
upon  Steuben  the  day  after  his  arrival,  and 
demanded  of  him  the  conditions  on  which 
he  Avas  inclined  to  serve  the  United  States, 
and  if  he  had  made  any  stipulations  with 
their  commissioners  in  France?  He  replied 
that  he  liad  made  no  agreement  with  theni, 
nor  was  it  his  intention  to  accept  of  any 
rank  or  pay;  that  he  wished  to  join  the 
army  as  a  volunteer,  and  to  render  such 
services  as  the  commander-in-chief  should 
think  him  capable  of,  adding,  that  he  had 
no  other  fortune  than  a  revenue  of  about 
six  hundred  guineas  per  annum,  arising 
from  posts  of  honor  in  Germany,  which  he 
had  relinquished  to  come  to  this  country; 
that  in  consideration  of  this,  he  expected 
the  L'nited  States  would  defray  his  neces- 
sary expenses  while   in  their  service;  that 


COXTINEXTAL  CONGRESS  AT  YORK 


Z^7 


if,  unhappily,  this  country  sliould  not  suc- 
ceed in  establishing  their  independence,  or 
if  he  should  not  succeed  in  his  endeavors  in 
their  service,  in  either  of  these  cases  he 
should  consider  the  United  States  as  free 
from  any  obligations  towards  him ;  but  if, 
on  the  other  hand,  the  United  States  should 
be  fortunate  enough  to  establish  their 
freedom,  and  that  if  his  efforts  should  be 
successful,  in  that  case  he  should  expect  a 
full  indemnification  for  the  sacrifice  he  had 
made  in  coming  over,  and  such  marks  of 
liberality  as  the  justice  of  the  United 
States  should  dictate;  that  he  only 
required  commissions  for  the  of^cers 
attached  to  his  person,  namely  that 
of  major  and  aide-de-camp  for  Mr.  De 
Romanai,  that  of  captain  of  engineers  for 
]Mr.  De  I'Enfant,  that  of  captain  of  cavalry 
for  Mr.  De  Depontiere,  and  the  rank  of  cap- 
tain for  his  secretary,  Mr.  Duponceau;  that 
if  these  terms  were  agreeable  to  Congress 
he  waited  for  their  orders  to  join  the  army 
without  delay." 

The  committee  appointed  to  in- 
Services  terview  Baron  Steuben,  re- 
Accepted,  ported  to  Congress  on  the  fol- 
lowing day.  The  propositions 
submitted  by  the  Baron  were  unanimously 
accepted  and  soon  afterward  he  proceeded 
to  Valley  Forge,  where  he  began  strict 
training  and  discipline  for  the  campaign  of 
1778.  When  he  first  arrived  at  the  encamp- 
ment at  Valley  Forge,  he  experienced  some 
difficulty  because  of  his  lack  of  familiarity 
with  the  English  language,  but  his  future 
career  was  successful,  and  the  cause  of  in- 
dependence owed  a  debt  to  him  for  his 
achievements  in  the  American  army. 

When  he  arrived  at  York  in  February  he 
was  assigned  to  quarters  in  the  house 
previously  occupied  by  John  Hancock, 
when  he  was  president  of  Congress.  The 
house  stood  on  the  south  side  of  West  Mar- 
ket Street,  three  doors  west  of  Centre 
Square,  and  was  owned  by  Colonel  ^Michael 
Swope,  who  had  commanded  a  regiment  of 
York  County  troops  at  the  battle  of  Fort 
Washington,  where  he  and  almost  his  en- 
tire command  were  captured,  in  Novem- 
ber, 1776,  and  were  still  prisoners  of  war  in 
New  York  City  and  Long  Island.  On  June 
23,  Continental  Congress  approved  a  bill  of 
S104  presented  by  Airs.  Eva  Swope,  wife  of 
Colonel   Swope,   for  lodging  and  boarding 


Baron    Steuben,    his    two    aides    and    two 
servants,  for  thirteen  da3's. 

Baron  Steuben  returned  to  York  in  June, 
1778,  for  the  purpose  of  having  the  duties 
and  powers  of  his  department  minutely  de- 
fined and  settled  by  Congress,  lie  did  not 
tarry  here  long,  however,  but  on  hearing 
of  the  evacuation  of  Philadelphia  by  the 
British,  hastened  to  join  Washington,  who 
was  laying  his  plans  for  a  summer  cam- 
paign, which  resulted  in  the  victory  at  Mon- 
mouth and  the  transfer  of  the  seat  of  war 
to  the  south. 

TWO  PLANS  OF  GOVERNMENT. 

The  party  conflicts  of  our  Revolutionary 
leaders  were  caused  by  the  antagonism  be- 
tween two  schools  of  political  thought— the 
liberative  and  the  constructive.  The  sole 
object  of  the  former  was  to  get  rid  of  the 
British  authority  in  America,  wdiich  was 
interpreted  to  be  tyranny.  The  latter 
sought  to  set  up  in  the  colonies  a  constitu- 
tional system  of  co-ordinate  legislative,  ex- 
ecutive and  judicial  departments  in  the 
place  of  authority  of  the  British  govern- 
ment. The  liberative  school  sought  to  en- 
force government  through  congressional 
committees  ;  the  constructive  through  heads 
of  departments,  giving  large  powers  to 
Washington  as  commander-in-chief,  and  to 
Franklin  at  the  head  of  the  American  le- 
gation at  Paris.  The  contest  between  the 
leaders  of  the  conflicting  schools  of  thought 
among  the  Fathers  of  our  Republic  was 
dominant  while  Congress  sat  in  York  and 
continued  until  the  Federal  constitution 
was  framed  in  1787. 

Samuel  Adams,  of  ■  Massachusetts, 
through  his  dislike  of  executive  authority 
in  any  shape,  became  the  leader  of  the 
liberati\'e  school  in  Congress.  Through  his 
opposition  to  the  adoption  of  scientific 
principles  either  in  war,  in  diplomacy  or  in 
finance,  he  came  more  than  once  near 
wrecking  the  cause  which  he  would  gladly 
have  given  his  life  to  sustain.  Even  after 
the  war,  both  Samuel  Adams  and  John 
Hancock  opposed  the  ratification  of  a  na- 
tional constitution,  but  when  they  finally 
accepted  it  as  a  wise  compromise,  they  were 
of  the  greatest  public  service  to  the  new 
government.  John  Adams,  during  the 
Revolution,  advocated  the  same  policy  and 
principles    as    his    cousin,    Samuel    Adams. 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


\\'hen  peace  came,  he  was  one  of  tlie  most 
ardent  supporters  of  constitutional  and  ex- 
ecutive authority.  Closely  allied  with  these 
three  New  England  statesmen  of  this 
period  were  Richard  Henry  Lee  and  Fran- 
cis Lightfoot  Lee,  of  Virginia,  men  of 
power  and  influence  in  Congress. 

In  the  political  history  of  our  country, 
these  statesmen  were  not  constructive  in 
their  tendencies.  They  were  civilians  and 
it  is  remarkable  that  no  military  man  of 
eminence  accepted  the  principles  of  gov- 
ernment which  these  men  had  advocated 
during  the  War  for  Independence. 

General  A\'ashington  by  na- 
Washington  ture  and  training,  both  as  a 
a  Leader.  soldier  and  a  statesman,  be- 
came the  great  leader  among 
those  advocating  a  constructive  policy.  He 
declared  that  war  was  an  instrument  of  con- 
struction of  which  destruction  of  English 
power  was  merely  the  preliminary  incident. 
The  object  he  had  in  view  as  early  as  1776 
was  essentially  different  from  that  of  the 
leaders  of  the  liberative  school  of  Revolu- 
tionary statesmen.  Washington  had  not 
yet  loomed  up  as  the  dominating  person- 
ality of  the  Revolution  when  the  Articles  of 
Confederation  were  passed  by  Congress  at 
York,  in  November,  1777.  Between  him- 
self and  the  supporters  of  the  liberative 
school  there  was  antagonism,  until  after 
the  former  had  driven  the  British  army  out 
of  New  Jersey,  in  1778,  and  achieved  dis- 
tinction on  the  field  of  battle  at  Trenton, 
Princeton  and  Monmouth.  These  victories 
attracted  the  attention  of  all  Europe  and 
called  forth  favorable  comment  from  Fred- 
erick the  Great. of  Prussia.  AVashington 
held  that  war  was  essential  but  should  be 
conducted  by  trained  regulars.  Adams  and 
his  colleagues  thought  that  America  could 
fight  the  battles  for  independence  with 
militia,  because  they  had  shown  so  much 
patriotic  valor  at  Bunker  Hill  and  the  siege 
of  Boston.  Washington  was  one  of  the 
earliest  who  favored  an  alliance  with 
France,  the  enemy  of  England.  He  courted 
the  friendship  of  the  youthful  Lafayette  and 
at  once  gave  him  high  rank  in  the  army. 
The  diplomacy  of  the  war  was  largely  con- 
ducted by  Washington  as  the  head  of  the 
army.  In  this  work  he  displayed  wisdom 
and  forethought  to  which  the  French  never 
ceased  to  paj?  tribute. 


Next  to  A\'ashington  in  this  line  of 
thought  was  Franklin,  whose  mind  was 
eminently  constructive,  and  who  for  3'ears, 
as  postmaster-general  and  as  colonial  agent 
in  London,  had  acquired  the  largest  expe- 
rience in  American  administration  of  any 
man  then  living.  Of  the  same  school  of 
thought  as  Washington  and  Franklin  were 
Robert  Morris,  John  Lay,  Gouverneur  Mor- 
ris, Henry  Laurens,  Alexander  Hamilton, 
Benjamin  Harrison  and  Robert  R.  Living- 
ston. Their  opponents  argued  that  Rome 
enslaved  the  world  by  discipline;  the  Gauls 
liberated  it  from  Rome's  oppression  by  im- 
petuous zeal.  It  was  the  militia  of  New 
England,  they  claimed,  who  drove  back  the 
British  regulars  at  Lexington  and  hurled 
back  the  enemy's  onset  at  Bunker  Hill.  But 
in  reply  to  this,  Washington  and  his  friends 
said  that  Rome  succumbed  to  her  own  ener- 
vation, and  that  if  the  untrained  farmers 
who  drove  back  the  invaders  at  Lexington 
and  the  half-armed  militia  who  defended 
Bunker  Hill  had  been  fully  armed  and  well- 
disciplined  as  soldiers,  the  British  army  at 
Boston  would  have  been  forced  to  capitu- 
late and  the  war  would  have  been  brought 
to  an  early  close.  But  Washington  still 
maintained  that  a  war  such  as  the  United 
States  then  was  engaged  in  could  not  be 
sustained  by  an  army  made  up  of  militia  or 
volunteers  enlisted  for  a  short  term  of 
service. 

These  momentous  questions  had  been 
frequently  taken  up  in  Congress  during  the 
early  part  of  1777.  They  were  discussed  with 
vigor  and  energy  soon  after  Congress  arrived 
at  York.  This  was  the  turning  point  in  the 
political  thought  of  that  eventuful  period. 

The  defeat  of  the  American 
Antagonism      army  under   W'ashington    at 
to  Brandywine     and     German- 

Washington,  town,  and  the  success  of 
Gates  at  Saratoga  shortly 
after  Congress  arrived  in  York,  intensified 
the  feeling  of  the  liberative  school  of  states- 
men in  and  out  of  Congress  and  culminated 
in  serious  antagonism  to  Washington.  The 
attempts  to  undermine  Washington  owed 
their  origin  to  the  attitude  of  certain  mem- 
bers of  Congress  toward  him  as  com- 
mander-in-chief. Had  it  not  been  for  the 
vigorous  opposition  of  his  political  ene- 
mies, no  army  rival  would  have  ventured 
to  push  forward. 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS  AT  YORK 


329 


Early  in  1777,  John  Adams  declared  that 
he  was  "sick  of  the  Fabian  system,"  adopted 
by  the  head  of  the  army.  After  President 
Laurens  had  issued  his  proclamation  for 
the  national  thanksgiving  in  honor  of  the 
victory  at  Saratoga,  Adams  wrote  from 
York  to  his  wife  in  Massachusetts:  "One 
cause  of  it  ought  to  be  that  the  glory  of 
turning  the  tide  of  arms  is  not  immediately 
due  to  the  commander-in-chief.  ...  If 
it  had,  idolatry  and  adulation  would  have 
been  unbounded."  James  Lovell,  the 
schoolmaster  from  Boston,  then  a  delegate 
in  Congress,  asserted  that  "our  affairs  are 
Fabiused  into  a  very  disagreeable  posture," 
and  wrote  that  "depend  upon  it  for  every 
ten  soldiers  placed  under  the  command  of 
our  Fabius,  five  recruits  will  be  wanted  an- 
nually during  the  war."  William  Williams, 
a  member  from  Connecticut,  agreed  with 
Jonathan  Trumbull  that  the  time  had  come 
when  "a  much  exalted  character  should 
make  way  for  a  general."  He  suggested  if 
this  was  not  done  "voluntaril}^"  those  to 
whom  the  public  looked  should  "see  to  it." 
Abraham  Clark,  a  member  from  New  Jer- 
sey, said,  "we  may  talk  of  the  enemy's 
cruelty  as  we  will,  but  we  have  no  greater 
cruelty  to  complain  of  than  the  manage- 
ment of  our  own  army."  Jonathan  D.  Sar- 
gent, noted  as  a  jurist  and  later  attorney- 
general  of  Pennsylvania,  asserted:  "We 
want  a  general— thousands  of  lives  and  mil- 
lions of  property  are  yearly  sacrificed  to  the 
inefficiency  of  our  commander-in-chief. 
Two  battles  he  has  lost  for  us  by  two  such 
blunders  as  might  have  disgraced  a  soldier 
of  three  months'  standing,  and  yet  we  are 
so  attached  to  this  man  that  I  fear  we  shall 
rather  sink  with  him  than  throw  him  off 
our  shoulders."  Richard  Henry  Lee,  of 
Virginia,  agreed  with  Mifflin  that  Gates 
was  needed  to  "procure  the  indispensable 
changes  in  our  army."  Other  delegates  to 
Congress  who  were  inimical  to  \\'ashing- 
ton,  either  by  openly  expressed  opinion  or 
by  vote,  were  Elbridge  Gerry,  Samuel 
Adams,  \\'illiam  Ellery,  Eliphalet  Dyer, 
Samuel  Chase  and  F.  L.  Lee. 

There  were  other  men  conspicuous  in  the 
aft'airs  of  the  government  and  in  the  army 
who  displayed  strong  opposition  to  W^ash- 
ington.  Thomas  Mififlin,  of  Pennsylvania, 
who,  at  the  request  of  A\'ashington,  had 
been    appointed    quartermaster-general    of 


the  army,  became  unsparing  in  his  criticism 
of  his  commander.  He  had  served  in  this 
position  for  several  months,  but  owing  to 
some  reflections  made  by  Washington  upon 
the  management  of  his  department,  grew 
impetuous  and  resigned  his  position  in  the 
army  and  was  outspoken  in  his  strictures  on 
the  management  of  the  campaign  which 
had  resulted  in  the  defeats  at  Brandywine 
and  Germantown. 

Dr.  Benjamin  Rush,  of  Philadelphia,  who 
filled  the  position  of  surgeon  and  physician- 
general  of  the  middle  district,  took  occa- 
sion to  speak  of  Washington  in  the  most 
scathing  terms.  He  often  dealt  in  vituper- 
ation in  making  remarks  about  others.  He 
quarreled  with  Dr.  William  Shippen, 
surgeon-general  of  the  army,  and  even 
went  so  far  as  to  ask  for  the  removal  of  the 
latter.  This  incident  brought  forth  from 
Washington  that  the  criticism  made  by 
Rush  against  Shippen  originated  in  bad 
motives.  Rush  retorted  by  picturing  the 
army  in  a  woeful  condition.  He  claimed 
that  Washington  was  controlled  by  General 
Greene,  a  "sycophant,"  General  Knox,  the 
commander  of  artillery,  and  Alexander 
Hamilton,  one  of  his  aides,  a  young  man  of 
twenty-one.  He  further  predicted  that  the 
war  would  never  end  with  him  as  com- 
mander-in-chief. Two  months  later.  Rush 
came  to  York  and  resigned  his  commission 
in  the  army.  Soon  afterward  he  wrote  an 
anonymous  letter  to  Patrick  Henry,  then 
governor  of  Virginia,  containing  bitter  sar- 
casm and  scathing  reflections  on  Washing- 
ton's character  and  ability  as  a  soldier. 
The  letter  was  forwarded  to  Washington, 
who  recognized  the  handwriting  of  his  an- 
tagonist. After  reading  it,  Washington  re- 
marked: "We  have  caught  the  sly  fox  at 
last." 

Early     in     October,     soon     after 

Laurens     Congress     assembled     in     York, 

a  Henry    Laurens,  a    distinguished 

Friend.      member     from     South    Carolina. 

wrote :  "General  Washington 
complains  of  the  want  of  many  essential 
articles  for  the  army.  He  is  the  most  to  be 
pitied  of  any  man  I  know.  The  essentials 
should  have  been  supplied.  If  they  had 
been  provided  some  time  ago,  hundreds, 
perhaps  thousands,  of  desertions  would 
have  been  prevented  and  there  would  be  no 
British  army  in  Philadelphia." 


?30 


HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUXTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


On  October  i6,  Henry  Laurens  wrote  to 
his  son,  then  serving  on  the  staff  of  General 
^Vashington :  "I  am  writing  this  letter  with 
difficulty  in  the  hall  of  Congress.  There  is 
a  constant  buzzing  and  confusion  about  me 
amongst  the  delegates.  Some  of  them  are 
asking  why  General  A\'ashington  has  not 
demanded  supplies  of  which  he  claims  there 
is  a  scarcit}',  from  the  people  and  the 
Tories?  why  has  he  not  prevented  deser- 
tions and  kept  the  British  emissaries  from 
entering  his  camp?  The  general  opinion 
is  that  the  difficulty  arises  from  the  want  of 
discipline  in  the  American  army." 

The       Supreme       Executive 

The  State       Council      and      General     As- 

Legislature.     sembly  of  Pennsylvania,  then 

in  session  at  Lancaster,  when 
they  heard,  in  December,  that  Washington 
was  about  to  go  into  winter  quarters  at  Val- 
ley Forge,  sent  a  remonstrance  to  Congress. 
Instead  of  being  loyal  to  the  commander- 
in-chief  by  furnishing  the  needed  supplies 
for  his  army  in  the  field  and  camp,  these 
bodies  clamored  against  the  decimated 
army  taking  up  quarters  for  the  winter. 
They  claimed  that  the  withdrawal  of  the 
American  army  from  the  vicinity  of  Phila- 
delphia would  give  the  enemy  opportunity 
of  foraging  the  region  of  eastern  Pennsyl- 
vania and  even  endangering  the  safety  of 
the  legislature  at  Lancaster  and  Congress 
at  York.  This  would  incur  a  loss  of  repu- 
tation to  the  cause  of  independence,  prevent 
the  enlistment  of  the  militia  for  the  safety 
of  the  commonwealth,  afi'ect  the  raising  of 
taxes,  and  bring  forth  a  multitude  of  other 
evils,  civil  and  military,  including  submis- 
sion to  the  enemy.  It  was  a  wild,  erratic 
and  impetuous  remonstrance  unworthy  of 
men  claiming  to  be  American  patriots. 
They  insisted  on  a  winter  campaign  and 
further  stated  that  the  inland  towns  such 
as  Lancaster  and  York  were  filled  with 
refugees  to  such  an  extent  that  it  was  im- 
possible to  accommodate  soldiers  quartered 
in  these  places. 

In  reply  to  this  opposition  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania Legislature,  Washington  said:  "I 
can  assure  these  gentlemen  that  it  is  much 
easier  to  draw  up  remonstrances  by  their 
warm  firesides  than  to  endure  the  rigors  of 
winter  encampment  without  sufficient  food 
and  clothing  on  the  bleak  hills  of  Valley 
Forge." 


Again  he  said :  "It  is  easy  to  bear  the  de- 
vices of  private  enemies  whose  ill  will  only 
arises  from  their  common  hatred  to  the 
cause  we  are  engaged  in ;  but  I  confess,  I 
cannot  help  feeling  the  most  painful  sensa- 
tions, whene\'er  I  have  reason  to  believe  I 
am  the  object  of  persecution  to  men,  who 
are  embarked  in  the  same  general  interest, 
and  whose  friendship  my  heart  does  not 
reproach  me  with  ever  having  done  any- 
thing to  forfeit.  A\"ith  many,  it  is  a  suffi- 
cient cause  to  hate  and  wish  the  ruin  of  a 
man,  because  he  has  been  happy  enough  to 
be  the  object  of  his  country's  favor." 

It  is  related  in  Dunlap's  History  of  New 
York,  upon  the  authority  of  Morgan  Lewis, 
an  aide  on  the  staff  of  General  Gates,  that  in 
January,  1778,  a  day  had  been  appointed 
by  the  opponents  of  AA'ashington  in  Con- 
gress for  one  of  their  members  to  move  for 
the  appointment  of  a  committee  to  proceed 
to  the  camp  at  Valley  Forge  and  report 
adversely  to  the  intents  of  the  commander- 
in-chief,  and  that  the  motion  would  have 
been  adopted  had  not  the  opponents  of 
AA'ashington  unexpectedly  lost  their  ma- 
jority. 

At  that  time  there  were  five  delegates 
chosen  to  represent  the  state  of  New  York 
in  Congress.  These  men  were  James 
Duane,  Philip  Livingstone,  Francis  Lewis, 
William  Duer  and  Gouverneur  Morris. 
Only  two  of  them  were  present,  Duer  and 
Lewis.  The  former  was  confined  to  his  bed 
by  sickness  and  it  was  thought  he  would  be 
unable  to  attend  the  session  of  Congress 
when  the  vote  for  the  appointment  of  the 
committee  was  to  be  taken.  By  a  resolu- 
tion of  the  legislature  of  New  York  the 
presence  of  two  delegates  was  necessary  to 
entitle  the  state  to  a  vote  in  Congress. 
Lewis  was  an  active  member  of  the  naval 
board  and  a  correspondent  of  Franklin, 
whose  war  polic}'  coincided  with  that  of 
AA'ashington.  He  kept  himself  thoroughly 
posted  in  what  was  being  done  by  the  op- 
ponents of  the  commander-in-chief.  In  the 
event  of  Duer  being  unable  to  attend  this 
important  session  he  dispatched  a  letter  to 
Gouverneur  Morris,  who  was  then  on  his 
way  to  York,  so  that  two  delegates  from 
the  state  would  be  on  hand.  Says  Julia 
Delafield,  the  granddaughter  and  biog- 
rapher of  Francis  Lewis : 

"Morris  was    his    intimate    friend.       He 


z 

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o 


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To  0- 


oS 


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00 


:::.     H 


COXTIXHXTAL  CONGRESS  AT  YORK 


331 


wrote  to  Morris  informing  him  of  the 
emergenc}',  and  begging  iiim  to  come  to 
York  at  once.  Duer  sent  for  his  physician, 
Dr.  Joseph  Jones,  one  of  the  delegates  from 
X'irginia,  and  requested  him  to  have  a  cot 
ready  to  take  him  to  the  Court  House.  Dr. 
Jones  replied.  'If  you  go  you  will  endanger 
your  life.'  'W  ill  1  die  before  I  reach  the 
house?'  'Xo,  but  you  may  die  in  conse- 
quence of  the  exertion.'  'Then  I  will  go. 
If  you  will  not  assist  me,  somebody  else 
must;  but  I  prefer  j-our  aid.' 

"The  day  appointed  by  the  conspirators 
to  bring  forward  their  motion,  Gates,  his 
staff,  and  Gouverneur  Morris  arrived  at 
York.  They  had  all  been  detained  on  the 
Lancaster  side  of  the  river  by  the  ice  that 
obstructed  the  channel  of  the  Susquehanna. 
Morgan  Lewis  and  Morris  repaired  at  once 
to  the  quarters  of  the  New  York  delegates. 
There  they  found  Francis  Lewis  w'ith  his 
friend  Duer,  the  latter  wrapped  in  blankets, 
his  cot  and  his  bearers  ready  to  convey  him 
to  the  Hall  of  Congress.  The  arrival  of 
Morris  made  it  unnecessary  for  him  to  risk 
his  life.  The  opponents  of  A\'ashington, 
finding  that  they  were  outnumbered,  did 
not  bring  forward  their  motion." 

THE  CON'WAY  CABAL. 

This  was  the  condition  of  affairs  in  Con- 
gress at  York,  and  throughout  the  thirteen 
original  states  at  war  with  Great  Britain  at 
the  opening  of  the  year  177S.  Washington 
had  gone  into  winter  quarters  at  Valley 
Forge  and  had  there  commenced  the  erec- 
tion of  log  huts  for  his  soldiers  in  the  camp. 
Fortunately,  for  the  commander-in-chief 
and  the  future  destiny  of  the  country,  there 
were  strong  men  in  and  out  of  Congress 
who  remained  loyal  to  their  chief. 

But  the  contending  factions  of 

Gates'  Congress    had    brought     forth 

Ambition,     the      aspirations      of      General 

Gates,  the  hero  of  Saratoga,  to 
supplant  W^ashington  as  the  head  of  the 
army.  Congress  had  invited  him  to  York 
to  l)ecome  president  of  the  Board  of  War. 
Prominent  men  believed  him  superior  in 
military  genius  to  Washington.  So  much 
applause  caused  his  head  to  be  turned.  His 
vanity  was  only  e.xcelled  by  his  arrogance, 
for  he  had  neglected  to  inform  Washington, 
as  was  his  duty,  of  the  victory  at  Saratoga 
before  sending  his  message    to    Congress. 


Washington  congratulated  Gates  upon  his 
victory,  but  reproved  him  for  not  comply- 
ing with  the  rules  of  the  army  by  sending  a 
direct  communication  to  him  as  com- 
mander-in-chief. After  the  surrender,  Gates 
had  declined  to  quickl}'  send  a  part  of  the 
army  to  the  assistance  of  \\'ashington,  near 
Philadelphia.  Washington  sent  Alexander 
Hamilton,  one  of  his  aides,  and  by  that 
means  secured  the  return  to  the  main  army 
of  ^Morgan's  Riflemen,  who  had  distin- 
guished themselves  at  the  battle  of  Sara- 
toga. Had  he  been  re-inforced  earlier  by 
these  valiant  soldiers,  it  is  claimed  that 
AA'ashington  might  have  saved  the  forts  on 
the  Delaware  and  prevented  the  British 
from  occupying  Philadelphia  during  the 
winter.  Gates  took  advantage  of  the  situa- 
tion and  entered  into  correspondence  with 
General  Thomas  Conway,  General  j\Iifflin 
and  other  officers  of  the  army,  who  were 
disaft'ected  toward  Washington. 

Thomas  Conway  was  Washing- 
Conway's  ton's  traducer  to  Gates.  He 
Intrigues,  was  an  Irish-French  soldier  of 
rank,  who  unfortunately  had 
been  made  a  brigadier-general  in  the  Con- 
tinental army.  Having  made  friends  of  the 
New  England  delegates  in  Congress,  it  was 
then  proposed  by  them  to  advance  him  to 
the  rank  of  major-general,  which  Washing- 
ton had  opposed  on  the  grounds  that  "his 
merit  and  importance  exist  more  in  his 
imagination  than  in  reality."  For  the 
moment  this  was  sufficient  to  prevent  Con- 
waj^'s  promotion,  and  even  if  he  had  not 
before  been  opposed  to  his  commander,  he 
now  became  his  bitter  enemy. 

Colonel  James  Wilkinson,  an  aide  on  the 
staff"  of  Gates,  had  been  assigned  to  the 
duty  of  carrying  the  news  of  the  victory  at 
Saratoga  to  York,  and  stopped  on  the  way 
at  Reading,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  re- 
mained three  days.  Lord  Stirling,  an  officer 
in  the  American  army,  who  had  been 
wounded  at  Brandywine,  had  been  taken  to 
that  town  until  his  recovery.  While  in  a 
convivial  mood,  after  having  drank  too 
freely,  Wilkinson  revealed  the  secrets  of  the 
cabal  to  Major  Williams,  an  aide  on  the 
staff  of  Lord  Stirling.  This  information 
w-as  communicated  to  Washington,  who 
sent  to  Conway  the  following  brief  note: 

Sir:  A  letter  which  I  received  last  night 
contained  the  following  paragraph : — "In  a 


33^ 


HISTORY   OF  YORK  COUNTY.    PEXXSYLVANIA 


letter  from  General  Conway  to  General 
Gates,  he  says,  'Heaven  has  determined  to 
save  your  country  or  a  weak  general  and 
bad  counsellors  would  have  ruined  it.'  "'  I 
am,  sir,  vour  humble  servant, 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

This  brought  the  attention  of  Washing- 
ton and  his  friends  to  what  seemed  to  be  a 
conspiracy  to  elevate  Gates  to  the  chief 
command  of  the  army.  Conway  did  not 
know  what  answer  to  make  to  this  startling 
note.  Meantime,  General  Mifflin  wrote  to 
Gates  that  an  extract  from  one  of  Conway's 
letters  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  Wash- 
ington, and  cautioned  him  to  be  more  care- 
ful of  his  correspondence  in  the  future.  The 
plotters  now  became  seriously  alarmed. 
^\'ashington's  curt  letter  left  them  in  the 
dark. 

Gates  replied  to  Mifflin:  "There  is 
scarcely  a  man  living  who  takes  greater 
care  of  his  papers  than  I  do.  I  never  fail  to 
lock  them  up  and  keep  the  key  in  my 
pocket."  He  then  arrived  at  the  conclusion 
that  Alexander  Hamilton,  who  had  visited 
him  at  Albany,  had  stealthily  ransacked  his 
effects  and  read  his  private  correspondence. 
Gates  wrote  to  Washington  stating  that  he 
understood  that  some  of  Conway's  confi- 
dential letters  to  himself  had  fallen  into 
AA'ashington's  hands.  He  then  sent  a  copy 
of  the  letter  to  Congress  in  order  that  that 
body  might  assist  in  the  discovery  of  the 
person  who  committed  this  alleged  misde- 
meanor. The  purpose  of  this  artifice  was 
to  create,  in  Congress,  an  impression  un- 
favorable to  Washington,  by  making  it  ap- 
pear that  he  had  encouraged  his  aides-de- 
camp in  prying  into  the  portfolios  of  other 
generals.  Washington  discerned  the 
treacherous  purpose  of  the  letter  and 
wrote  to  Gates :  "Your  letter  came  to  my 
hands  a  few  days  ago,  and  to  my  great  sur- 
prise, informed  me  that  a  copy  of  it  had 
been  sent  to  Congress,  for  what  reason,  I 
find  myself  unable  to  account ;  but  as  some 
end  was  doubtless  intended  to  be  answered 
by  it,  I  am  laid  under  the  disagreeable  ne- 
cessity of  returning  my  answer  through  the 
same  channel,  lest  any  member  of  that 
honorable  body  should  harbor  an  unfavor- 
able suspicion  of  my  having  practiced  some 
indirect  means  to  come  at  the  contents  of 
the  confidential  letters  between  you  and 
General  Conwav." 


In  this  letter.  Washington  further  related 
how  Wilkinson  had  babbled  over  his  cups 
at  Reading  and  revealed  the  secret,  which 
had  spread  consternation  among  the 
friends  of  the  commander-in-chief.  He  had 
communicated  this  discovery  to  Conway  to 
let  that  officer  know  that  his  intriguing  dis- 
position was  observed  and  watched.  He 
had  mentioned  this  to  no  one  else  but 
Lafayette.  Washington  did  not  know  that 
Conway  was  in  correspondence  with  Gates, 
and  had  even  supposed  that  Wilkinson's 
information  was  given  with  the  sanction  of 
Gates  and  with  friendly  intent  to  forearm 
him  against  a  secret  enemy.  "But  in  this," 
lie  wrote,  in  concluding  this  remarkable  let- 
ter, "as  in  other  matters  of  late,  I  have 
found  myself  mistaken." 

Had  it  not  been  for  the  treach- 
Wilkinson  erous  letter  of  Gates,  Wash- 
Blamed,  ington  never  would  have  sus- 
pected him.  Amid  this  dis- 
comfiture. Gates  had  a  single  ray  of  hope. 
It  appeared  that  Washington  thus  far  had 
no  definite  information  except  the  sentence 
dropped  in  AA'ilkinson's  conversation. 
Gates  now  attempted  to  make  Wilkinson 
the  scapegoat  for  all.  and  wrote  again  to 
Washington.  den3'ing  his  intimacy  with 
Conway,  and  declared  that  he  had  received 
Ijut  one  letter  from  him.  He  protested  that 
this  letter  contained  no  such  paragraph  as 
that  of  which  Washington  had  been  in- 
formed. The  information  that  Wilkinson 
had  revealed,  he  declared  to  be  a  ^•illainous 
slander.  In  a  previous  letter  to  Washing- 
ton, Gates  had  admitted  the  existence  of 
several  letters  which  he  had  received  from 
Conway.  A  stinging  reply  from  Washing,- 
ton  put  Gates  in  a  very  uncomfortable 
position,  from  which  there  was  no  retreat. 
AA'hen  Colonel  AA'ilkinson  heard  of  this 
matter,  his  youthful  blood  boiled  with  rage. 
Having  been  selected  as  president 
Gates  of  the  Board  of  AA'ar,  General 
at  Gates  resigned  from  his  command 
York,  of  the  northern  army,  then  at  Al- 
bany, and  came  to  York,  arriving 
liere  January  19.  By  many  of  the  delegates 
in  Congress  he  was  received  with  great  en- 
thusiasm. The  victory  which  he  had  won 
at  Saratoga  had  gained  for  him  temporarily 
a  brilliant  reputation  as  a  soldier.  He  had 
won  the  first  decisive  battle  of  the  Revo- 
lution.    The  surrender  of  Burgoyne,  which 


CONTIXEXTAL  CONGRESS  AT  YORK 


353 


followed,  was  largely  instrumental  in  se- 
curing the  alliance  with  France.  The  abil- 
ity of  Washington  had  not  yet  been  dis- 
covered by  some  of  the  leading"  statesmen 
of  the  country.  Men  who  never  had  seen 
Gates  were  shouting  his  praise  and  he  re- 
ceived a  cordial  welcome  when  he  reached 
the  inland  town  of  York,  then  the  capital  of 
the  infant  republic  of  the  United  States. 
His  wife  and  son  had  preceded  him  some 
time  before  and  had  been  given  the  best 
accommodations  that  could  be  afiforded 
them.  Gates  was  called  upon,  fawned  and 
flattered  by  his  supporters  in  Congress  and 
by  the  army  officers  who  were  then 
present  in  York. 

Soon  after  his  arrival,  lie  as- 
Head  of  sumed  his  duties  as  president 
the  Board  of  the  Board  of  \\'ar.  Associ- 
of  War.  ated  with  him  on  this  board 
were  four  men,  all  supposed  to 
be  inimical  to  W'ashington  as  the  head  of 
the  army.  These  men  were  Colonel  Tim- 
othy Pickering,  of  Virginia;  Richard  Pe- 
ters, of  Pennsylvania;  General  Thomas 
Mifflin,  and  Colonel  Joseph  Trumbull,  of 
Connecticut.  Encouraged  by  the  flattery 
he  had  received,  and  buoyant  with  the  hope 
that  his  name  would  soon  be  glittering  as 
the  commander-in-chief  of  the  American 
army.  Gates  began  the  duties  to  which 
Congress  had  assigned  him.  The  Board  of 
War  w'as  then  the  directing  power  of  the 
army,  and  he  aimed  to  use  this  influential 
position  which  he  now  held  to  elevate  him- 
self to  the  highest  military  position  in  this 
country. 

When  General  Gates  arrived  at  York  he 
took  up  his  quarters  at  a  public  inn,  where 
he  remained  two  or  three  weeks.  On  Feb- 
ruary II,  a  bill  amounting  to  $1,333  '^^'^^ 
ordered  to  be  paid  by  Congress  as  expenses 
for  himself,  his  family  and  his  aides  from 
the  time  of  his  arrival.  Among  the  aides 
who  accompanied  him  were  Colonel  Mor- 
gan Lewis,  son  of  Francis  Lewis,  then  a 
member  of  Congress  from  Xew  York ;  Cap- 
tain John  Armstrong,  son  of  General  John 
Armstrong,  of  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania;  and 
Colonel  Robert  Troup,  who  had  brought 
the  news  of  the  first  battle  of  Saratoga  to 
Congress  during  the  previous  October. 
Later  Gates  rented  a  house  on  the  north 
side  of  West  ^Larket  Street  near  Water, 
which  he  occupied  until  he  returned  to  the 


northern   army  at   Fishkill,   Xew   York,   in 
April. 

General  Lafayette,  the  youthful 
Lafayette  patriot  of  France,  came  to  York 
at  York.  from  Washington's  headquar- 
ters at  Valley  Forge,  on  Janu- 
ary 30,  177S,  eleven  days  after  the  arrival 
of  Gates.  Colonel  Pickering  arrived  the 
same  day.  During  the  interim,  the  subject 
of  supplanting  Washington  by  Gates  for 
the  head  of  the  army  was  an  important 
topic  for  discussion,  among  members  of 
Congress  in  private  council  and  other  ad- 
herents of  Gates,  then  in  York.  Lafayette 
had  arrived  in  America  from  France,  June 
14,  1777,  landing  at  Georgetown,  South 
Carolina.  He  had  proceeded  to  Philadel- 
phia, part  of  the  way  in  a  carriage,  which 
broke  down,  and  the  remainder  of  the 
distance  on  horseback.  It  required  him 
more  than  a  month  to  reach  Philadelphia. 
He  had  come  to  this  country  for  the  pur- 
pose of  joining  the  American  forces,  and 
aid  them  in  fighting  for  independence.  He 
had  inherited  a  dislike  for  the  British  gov- 
ernment, for  his  father  had  been  killed  in 
battle  on  English  soil,  before  Lafayette  was 
born.  When  he  came  to  this  country,  he 
was  only  nineteen  years  of  age,  and  at  first 
received  a  cold  reception  from  Congress. 
After  he  had  declared  his  wish  to  serve  as 
a  volunteer  and  at  his  own  expense.  Con- 
gress appointed  him  a  brigadier-general, 
July  31,  1777.  The  next  day  he  was  intro- 
duced to  Washington,  and  the  lifelong 
friendship  between  the  two  men  was  at 
once  begun.  Wasliington  received  him 
with  great  cordiality  and  for  a  time  he 
served  as  an  aide  on  the  stafT  of  the  com- 
mander-in-chief. 

At  the  battle  of  Brandywine  Lafayette 
received  his  first  baptism  of  fire  and  was 
wounded  while  gallantly  leading  a  recon- 
noitering  party  to  find  out  the  position  of 
a  division  of  the  enemy.  His  wound  was 
first  dressed  by  Dr.  \\'illiam  ]Magaw,  of 
Cumberland  County,  a  surgeon  in  Wayne's 
brigade.  He  was  conveyed  in  the  private 
carriage  of  Henry  Laurens,  to  Bethlehem, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  remained  two 
months  until  he  had  recovered  from  his 
wound.  On  November  25,  in  a  recon- 
naissance of  General  Greene  against  Corn- 
wallis's  position  at  Gloucester  Point.  Lafay- 
ette, with    300    men,    defeated    a    superior 


334 


HISTORY   OF  YORK  COUXTY.   PEXXSYLVAXIA 


force  of  Hessians.  In  recognition  of  this 
service,  he  was  appointed,  December  4,  to 
command  a  division  of  Washington's  army 
lately  under  General  Stephen,  who  had  been 
removed  for  alleged  misconduct  at  the  bat- 
tle of  Germantown.  Lafayette  spent  part 
of  the  winter  at  Valley  Forge. 

Soon  after  Gates  became 
Canadian  president  of  the  Board  of  War, 
Expedition  that  body  conceived  a  plan  for 
Planned.  the  invasion  of  Canada.  They 
invited  Lafayette  to  York  for 
the  purpose  of  receiving  instructions  to 
take  charge  of  the  Canadian  expedition, 
with  General  Thomas  Conway  second  in 
command.  Washington  had  disapproved 
of  this  expedition,  but  Congress  and  the 
Board  of  War  claimed  that  with  the  aid  of 
Stark  and  his  Green  Mountain  boys,  and  a 
small  force  of  regulars  stationed  at  Albany, 
they  could  make  up  an  invading  army  of 
3,000  men.  On  January  24,  while  still  at 
Valley  Forge,  Lafayette  received  a  letter 
from  Gates,  containing  information  of  his 
appointment  as  commander  of  the  Cana- 
dian expedition.  He  refused  to  accept  the 
appointment  until  he  had  consulted  W'ash- 
ington,  and  made  it  a  condition  that  Baron 
de  Kalb,  who  ranked  Conway,  should  ac- 
company the  expedition.  He  then  came  to 
York  for  instructions,  where  he  was  re- 
ceived with  great  enthusiasm  by  Gates  and 
his  friends.  They  laid  plans  to  win  his  in- 
fluence and  support. 

A  banquet  had  been  prepared  in 

An  honor     of    the     French    patriot. 

Historic      Lafayette     was      flattered      and 

Banquet,     toasted  and  a  brilliant  campaign 

was  predicted.  Gates  assured 
him  that  a  large  army  would  be  at  Albany, 
New  York,  ready  to  march.  Lafayette 
listened  with  placid  composure  and  equa- 
nimity of  mind.  The  fawning  flattery 
which  he  had  received  from  the  intriguers 
against  W^ashington  did  not  turn  his  head. 
Although  of  an  impulsive  nature,  like  most 
Frenchmen,  vanity  was  not  one  of  his 
characteristics.  He  had  already  avowed  his 
loyalty  to  the  commander-in-chief,  for 
whom  he  showed  the  most  profound  vener- 
ation. The  ties  of  affection  which  linked 
Washington  and  Lafayette  together  in  after 
years  had  already  been  formed.  He  de- 
termined not  to  oppose  the  views  of  his 
commander,  whom  he  had  just  left  at  Val- 


ley Forge,  but  in  obedience  to  duty,  he  had 
come  to  York  to  discuss  the  plan  of  invad- 
ing Canada.  The  rank  to  be  accorded  him 
by  Congress  and  the  Board  of  War  was  a 
promotion,  and  if  this  expedition  would  fur- 
ther the  cause  of  independence,  he  had 
decided  to  take  conmiand  of  the  army. 

Lafayette  now  found  himself  in  company 
opposed  to  the  interests  of  his  friend.  The 
air  of  the  banquet  was  distasteful  to  him. 
After  a  number  of  toasts  had  been  offered. 
General  Gates,  as  president  of  the  Board  of 
War,  handed  to  Lafayette  the  commission 
which  Congress  had  voted  him  on  January 
23.  Deeply  impressed  with  the  scenes  and 
incidents  that  had  transpired,  the  youthful 
Lafayette  accepted  his  commission  of 
major-general,  then  with  calm  dignity  he 
rose  from  his  chair,  while  breathless 
silence  pervaded  the  room.  All  eyes  were 
riveted  upon  him  and  the  suspense  that 
awaited  his  action  produced  a  profound  im- 
pression upon  every  one  present.  All  that 
is  definitely  known  of  this  incident  is  what 
Lafayette  recorded  in  his  own  "Memoirs," 
published  in  the  French  language,  some 
years  later.     He  says  : 

"I  arose  from  my  chair  and 
Toast  to  referred  to  the  numerous 
Washington,  toasts  that  had  already  been 
offered  in  the  interests  of 
the  American  government  and  the  prosecu- 
tion of  the  war.  Then  I  reminded  all 
present  that  there  was  one  toast  that  had 
not  yet  been  drunk.  I  then  proposed  the 
health  of  the  commander-in-chief  at  Valley 
Forge.  After  I  had  done  this,  I  looked 
around  the  table  and  saw  the  faces  of  the 
bancjueters  redden  with  shame. 

"The  deep  silence  then  grew  deeper. 
X^one  dared  refuse  the  toast,  but  some 
merely  raised  their  glasses  to  their  lips, 
while  others  cautiously  put  them  down  un- 
tasted." 

It  was  evident  to  all  the  opponents 
Plans  of  Washington  that  their  plans 
Foiled,  had  been  foiled,  for  the  young 
soldier  had  displayed  the  loyalty 
to  his  chief  that  afterward  marked  him  as 
one  of  the  most  eminent  patriots  of  the 
Revolution.  W'ith  a  shrug  of  the  shoulders, 
he  stepped  away  from  the  table  and  left  the 
room.  He  retired  to  his  quarters  that 
night,  feeling  that  he  had  won  a  victory 
and  saved- the  armv  from  the  loss  of  Wash- 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS  A'J'  YORK 


335 


ington,  whose  ability  finally  succeeded  in 
winning  triumph  to  the  American  arms  in 
the  War  for  Independence. 

Having  accepted  the  commission  and  re- 
ceived his  instructions.  Lafayette  soon 
afterward  proceeded  to  Albany  to  assume 
his  duties  as  commander  of  the  northern 
army.  When  he  reached  there,  he  found 
neither  troops,  supplies  nor  equipments  in 
readiness.  Instead  of  3,000  regulars,  which 
Gates  had  promised,  he  found  barely  1,200, 
and  these  were  not  equipped  or  clothed  for 
a  march  into  Canada.  The  plan  of  invasion 
ended  in  a  complete  fiasco.  The  scheme 
itself  was  condemned  by  public  opinion. 
The  opposition  which  Washington  had 
shown  to  it  increased  his  power  and  in- 
fluence in  Congress.  Lafayette  and  de 
Kalb  were  glad  to  return  to  their  chief  at 
\'alley  Forge. 

The  antagonism  to  Washing- 
The  Cabal  ton  among  many  delegates  to 
Collapsed.  Congress  now  declined.  Gates 
continued  his  work  as  president 
of  the  Board  of  War,  but  his  influence  was 
on  the  wane.  He  remained  in  York  for  a 
considerable  time.  On  April  15,  he  was  ap- 
pointed by  Congress  to  proceed  to  Fishkill, 
New  York,  and  take  charge  of  the  army  at 
that  point.  Very  little  is  definitely  known 
of  his  career  in  this  position.  During  the 
summer  of  1778,  he  retired  from  the  army 
and  repaired  to  his  estate  in  Berkeley 
County,  Virginia.  There  were  still  mem- 
bers in  Congress  who  recognized  his  mili- 
tar\'  achie\-ements  at  Saratoga  and  believed 
that  he  possessed  ability  to  command  an 
army.  On  June  13,  1780,  he  was  recalled 
from  his  retirement  by  Congress  and  placed 
in  command  of  the  army  in  North  Carolina, 
designed  to  check  the  progress  of  Corn- 
wallis  northward  through  that  state.  In 
the  battle  near  Camden,  South  Carolina, 
August  16.  he  was  defeated  and  his  army 
nearly  annihilated.  He  was  soon  afterward 
succeeded  by  General  Nathaniel  Greene, 
and  suspended  from  duty.  Thus  ended  his 
military  career  in  the  Revolution. 

At  the  close  of  the  war.  he  retired  to  his 
estate  in  Virginia,  where  he  lived  until 
1790,  when  he  removed  to  New  York  City, 
where,  after  a  long  illness,  he  died,  April 
10,  1806,  at  the  age  of  78  years.  General 
Gates  was  a  man  of  pleasant  address  and 


cultivated  manners.  He  possessed  an  in- 
teresting personality  and  a  good  education. 
Though  having  many  faults,  the  chief  of 
which  was  an  overwhelming  confidence  in 
his  own  ability,  combined  with  arrogance 
and  untruthfulness,  he  had  also  some  noble 
traits.  Before  he  removed  to  New  York  he 
emancipated  his  slaves  and  provided  for  the 
support  of  those  who  could  not  take  care 
of  themselves. 

Mrs.  Gates,  wdio  spent  several 
Mrs.  Gates  months  at  York,  was  a 
at  York.  woman  of  rare  accomplish- 
ments. \\'hile  here  she  shared 
an  enviable  hospitality,  entertaining  the 
friends  of  her  husband,  who  had  achieved 
distinction  by  his  victory  at  Saratoga.  She 
was  the  daughter  of  James  Valence,  of 
Liverpool,  England.  At  her  father's  death, 
before  the  Revolution,  she  came  to  this 
country,  bringing  with  her  $450,000,  a 
wealth  which  exceeded  that  of  any  other 
woman  in  America.  Their  son  and  only 
ciiild,  Robert,  died  shortly  before  the  bat- 
tle of  Camden.  During  the  Revolution, 
jMrs.  Gates  spent  a  large  portion  of  her 
fortune  in  a  lavish  hospitality  upon  her 
Iiusband's  companions  in  arms,  especially 
those  in  indigent  circumstances.  ]\Iany 
Revolutionary  heroes  were  participants  of 
her  bounty,  including  Thaddeus  Kosci- 
uszko.  the  Polish  nobleman,  who,  when 
wounded,  laj^  six  months  at  her  home, 
nursed  by  herself  and  her  husband. 

GATES-WILKINSON  DUEL. 

At  the  opening  of  the  war,  Gates  was  an 
ardent  patriot,  and  was  present  at  York  on 
his  way  to  the  army,  July  i,  1775,  when  the 
first  troops  Were  about  to  march  from  here 
to  join  ^^'ash^ngton  at  Boston.  In  the 
spring  of  1778,  General  Gates  was  forty- 
eight  years  of  age.  Wilkinson  was  twenty. 
This  trained  soldier  and  his  youthful  aide 
had  been  intimate  friends  from  the  open- 
ing of  the  war  until  the  Conway  Cabal  was 
discovered  by  the  friends  of  Washington. 
In  the  fall  of  1777,  when  Congress  ap- 
pointed Gates  president  of  the  Board  of 
A\'ar,  he  requested  that  Colonel  Wilkinson 
should  be  its  secretary. 

Wilkinson  remained  with  the  Northern 
army  on  the  Hudson  for  a  time  after  Gates 
had  come  to  York.     The  fact  that  Wilkin- 


536 


HISTORY   OP  YORK   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


son,  while  in  a  convivial  mood,  had  revealed 
the  Cabal  to  an  army  friend  at  Reading, 
while  on  his  way  to  York,  in  October,  with 
the  official  papers  describing  the  surrender 
of  Burgoyne,  caused  an  estrangement  be- 
tween himself  and  his  superior  officer. 
\\'hen  Gates  discovered  that  his  secret  cor- 
respondence with  Conway  had  reached 
^Vashington,  he  tried  to  shift  the  responsi- 
bility upon  Wilkinson. 

Early  in  February,  1778,  Wilkin- 
Trouble  son.  who  had  been  raised  to  the 
Brewing,  rank  of  brigadier-general,  re- 
ceived a  letter  from  President 
Laurens  to  come  at  once  to  York  and  as- 
sume the  duties  of  secretary  to  the  Board 
of  War.  He  left  the  military  post  at  Al- 
bany, traveled  in  a  sleigh  to  Reading,  and 
from  thence  to  Lancaster  on  horseback. 
Upon  his  arrival  at  Reading,  for  the  first 
time,  he  heard  that  Gates  had  denounced 
him  as  the  betrayer  of  Conway's  letter. 
This  news  was  confirmed  when  he  reached 
Lancaster,  where  he  remained  one  day. 
Meantime  he  sent  a  messenger  with  a  let- 
ter to  Gates,  in  York,  charging  the  latter 
with  impugning  his  honor.  In  this  letter, 
he  said,  "What  motive,  sir,  could  induce  me 
to  injure  you  or  General  Conway?  You, 
my  boasted  patron,  friend  and  benefactor, 
he  a  stranger  for  whom  I  entertained  favor- 
able sentiments." 

The  response  made  by  Gates  to  this  let- 
ter was  offensive  in  language  and  widened 
the  breach  between  the  two  men.  In  sub- 
stance it  said  Wilkinson  could  have  any 
satisfaction  he  desired. 

"Immediately    after     receiving 
The  this  letter,"  says  AVilkinson,  in 

Challenge,  his  Memoirs,  "I  repaired  to 
York,  arriving  in  that  town  by 
twilight  on  the  evening  of  February  23,  to 
avoid  observation.  During  the  night  I  met 
my  early  companion  and  friend,  Captain 
Stoddert.  I  recounted  my  wrongs  to  him 
and  requested  him  to  bear  a  message  from 
me  to  General  Gates.  He  remonstrated 
against  my  intention  to  challenge  Gates  to 
fight  a  duel,  and  warned  me  that  I  was 
going  headlong  to  destruction.  For  the 
first  time  we  parted  in  displeasure.  Soon 
afterward  I  met  with  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Ball,  of  the  Virginia  Line,  whose  spirit  was 
as  independent  as  his  fortune.  He  deliv- 
ered to  Gates  the  following  note : 


"Sir:— 

"I  have  discharged  my  duty  to  you  and  ni\'  conscience. 
Meet  me  tomorrow  morning  behind  the  Episcopal 
Church  and  I  will  then  stipulate  the  satisfaction  which 
you  have  promised  to  grant, 

"I  am  your  most  humble  servant, 

"JAMES  WILKINSON." 

This  was  an  open  challenge  to  fight  a 
duel  with  his  old  commander.  He  had  de- 
termined to  defend  his  integrity  and  his 
honor.  Gates  had  charged  him  with  false 
representations  at  Reading  to  Major  Wil- 
liams, an  aide  to  Lord  Stirling.  These 
charges  he  could  not  endure  and  he  now 
discovered  that  he  was  to  be  made  the 
scapegoat  of  the  Conway  conspirators.  So 
Colonel  Ball,  in  obedience  to  his  request, 
carried  the  challenge  to  the  residence  of 
General  Gates,  on  the  north  side  of  Market 
Street,  near  Water.  He  was  met  at  the 
doorway  by  the  general,  who  read  the  chal- 
lenge with  evident  surprise.  This  w^as  the 
age  of  duelling;  if  a  man  would  not  accept 
a  challenge  he  was  considered  a  coward. 
With  calm  dignity,  he  responded : 

"All  right,  sir.  We  will  meet  tomorrow 
morning  at  8  o'clock." 

"He  made  no  reference    to    the 

The  kind  of  weapons  to  be  used  nor 
Meeting  the  distance.  The  place  desig- 
Place.  nated  as  the  duelling  ground  was 
on  the  lawn  to  the  rear  of  the 
Episcopal  Church,  near  the  Codorus  Creek. 
At  8  o'clock  on  the  following  morning, 
Colonel  Wilkinson  walked  dow-n  Beaver 
Street,  accompanied  by  his  second,  Colonel 
Ball.  They  saw  General  Gates  standing  on 
the  street  in  front  of  the  Episcopal  Church, 
in  company  with  Captain  Stoddert.  Gates 
was  unarmed,  for  during  the  night  he  had 
decided  to  meet  his  former  friend  on  terms 
of  peace.  Wilkinson  halted  a  distance  away 
and  Stoddert  approached  him,  saying; 

"General  Gates  wishes  to  speak  to  you." 

"I  will  meet  him  on  the  duelling  ground 
in  answer  to  the  challenge  which  he  ac- 
cepted," said  W'ilkinson. 

Then  Captain  Stoddert  pleaded  with  the 
young  soldier  and  begged  him  to  walk 
down  to  the  church  and  greet  his  former 
chief,  who  did  not  wish  to  fight  a  duel  with 
a  person  for  whom  he  entertained  the  high- 
est regard  and  affection. 

"There  is  no  occasion  to  fight  a  duel. 
Go  with  me  and  meet  the  general  standing 
yonder  in  front  of  the  church." 


COXTIXENTAL  CONGRESS  AT  YORK 


83r 


A  minute  later  the  young  colonel,  who 
had  brought  the  news  of  the  victory  at 
Saratoga  to  Congress,  was  greeted  with  a 
warm  clasp  of  the  hand  from  the  former 
commander  of  the  Xorthern  army,  wiio  had 
received  the  sword  of  Sir  John  Burgoyne 
and  accepted  the  terms  of  surrender  of 
(i,000  British  and  Hessian  soldiers  at  Sara- 
toga, a  few  months  before.  It  was  a  strik- 
ing scene,  and  doubtless,  was  witnessed  by 
very  few  persons,  for  little  mention  is  made 
of  this  incident  in  the  pri\ate  correspond- 
ence of  the  members  of  Congress  then  in 
York,  or  in  the  family  traditions  of  the  citi- 
zens. 

"  Come,  my  dear  boy,"  said  General 
Gates,  with  tender  emotion,  "  we  must  be 
friends  again.  There  is  no  cause  for  ill  will 
between  us.  Conway  has  acknowledged 
that  he  wrote  a  letter  criticizing  Washing- 
ton and  has  since  made  harsh  statements 
about  him." 

.\fter  this  friendly  greeting, 
Wilkinson  General  Gates  and  Colonel 
Retires.  Wilkinson  left  Colonel  Ball 
and  Captain  Stoddert  behind 
and  walked  away  together.  They  engaged 
in  a  long  conversation  about  the  episode  at 
Reading  and  their  relation  to  General  Stir- 
ling and  Thomas  Conway.  Before  they 
separated,  it  was  agreed  that  Wilkinson 
would  assume  his  duties  the  next  day,  as 
secretary  of  the  Board  of  War.  In  his 
private  correspondence  he  recorded  that 
when  he  went  to  the  war  office  he  found 
General  Gates  barely  civil  and  that  he 
found  Richard  Peters  and  Timothy  Picker- 
ing, other  members  of  the  board,  agreeable 
companions.  The  coolness  of  the  president 
of  the  board  made  his  position  uncomfort- 
able, and  a  few  days  later  he  resigned  his 
position  and  went  to  Valley  Forge,  where 
he  personally  met  Lord  Stirling  and  Gen- 
eral Washington  and  recounted  to  them 
his  difficulties  with  General  Gates. 

The  estrangement  between  General 
Gates  and  Colonel  Wilkinson,  which  began 
at  York,  in  February,  177S,  continued  for 
several  months.  Different  statements  had 
been  made  concerning  the  conduct  of 
Gates  when  he  failed  to  meet  the  challenge 
made  by  his  opponent  at  York.  After  re- 
maining a  short  time  at  Valley  Forge, 
^\'ilkinson  returned  to  the  Xorthern  armv 


on  the  Hudson.  He  now  held  the  rank  of 
l)rigadier-general  in  the  army,  but  as  yet 
had  been  assigned  to  no  important  duty. 
.\fter  Gates  returned  to  the  Xorthern  army, 
near  Kingston,  on  the  Hudson,  the  two  men 
again  met. 

The  controversy  about  the  Conway 
The  Cabal  had  not  been  settled.  Wilk- 
Duel.     inson  decided  to  meet  his  opponent 

again  on  the  field  of  honor  and  chal- 
lenged Gates  to  a  duel,  which  took  place 
near  St.  Clair's  headquarters  on  the  Hud- 
son, September  4,  1778.  Captain  John  Car- 
ter, of  Virginia,  acted  as  second  to  Wilkin- 
son, and  Thaddeus  Kosciuszko,  the  Polish 
nobleman  who  was  serving  as  a  colonel  in 
the  American  army,  w'as  second  to  Gates. 
In  the  duel  flint-lock  pistols  were  used.  At 
the  first  shot,  Wilkinson  fired  in  the  air, 
while  Gates'  pistol  flashed  the  powder  in 
the  pan  and  did  not  discharge  the  ball. 
The}-  charged  their  pistols  a  second  time 
and  when  the  order  was  given,  Wilkinson 
hred,  but  Gates  refused.  When  the  word 
was  given  the  third  time.  General  Wilkin- 
son fired  but  missed  his  aim  and  the  flint- 
lock which  Gates  held  again  flashed  in  the 
pan.  The  seconds  now  interposed  and  the 
antagonists  shook  hands.  .After  the  duel 
General  Gates  signed  a  certificate  to  the 
effect  that  Wilkinson  behaved  like  a  gentle- 
man in  the  encounter  at  York.  Upon  re- 
cjuest,  Wilkinson  refused  to  sign  and  deliver 
up  a  similar  certificate  concerning  the  con- 
duct of  Gates  at  York.  Wilkinson  then 
challenged  Gates  to  another  duel,  but  Gates 
refused,  and  the  two  men  never  became 
firm  friends. 

Captain  Ball,  who  was  selected  as  second 
to  Wilkinson  for  the  proposed  duel  at 
\'ork,  commanded  a  Virginia  company, 
then  encamped  at  York.  Captain  Benjamin 
Stoddert,  second  to  General  Gates,  com- 
manded a  company  of  Colonel  Hartley's 
Regiment,  then  acting  as  a  guard  to  Con- 
gress. 

General  Thomas  Conway,  the 
Thomas  reputed  leader  of  the  conspiracy 
Conway,  against  Washington,  was  a  na- 
tive of  Ireland,  born  in  the  year 
1733.  He  had  served  for  a  time  in  the 
French  army  and  came  to  this  country  at 
the  request  of  Silas  Deane,  the  American 
commissioner  at   Paris.     In   May.   1777,  he 


338 


HISTORY  OF  YORK  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


was  made  a  brigadier-general  and  in  the  fall 
of  the  same  year,  took  part  in  the  battles  of 
Brandywine  and  Germantown.  Embittered 
by  Washington's  opposition  to  his  promo- 
tion to  the  rank  of  major-general,  he  began 
to  write  anonymous  letters  to  prominent 
men,  criticizing  the  ability  of  Washington 
as  commander-in-chief.  Conway  came  to 
York  late  in  January,  177S.  About  the 
same  time,  Lafayette  arrived  here  to  meet 
the  Board  of  War,  and  receive  instructions 
regarding  the  projected  Canada  campaign. 
Conway  was  present  at  the  famous  banquet 
given  by  Gates  in  honor  of  Lafayette. 
After  the  plan  to  invade  Canada  had  ended 
in  a  fiasco,  Conway  lost  favor  with  Con- 
gress, and  in  a  fit  of  passion  he  resigned  his 
commission,  and  left  the  army.  Because  of 
his  repeated  attacks  on  Washington,  he 
was  challenged  by  General  Cadwallader  to 
fight  a  duel.  The  antagonists  met  July  22, 
1778,  near  Philadelphia,  and  Conway  was 
shot  in  the  mouth,  the  ball  passing  through 
his  neck.  A  few  days  later  he  wrote  a  letter 
of  apology  to  Washington,  disclaiming  that 
he  ever  conceived  a  plan  for  the  latter's  re- 
moval as  commander-in-chief  of  the  army. 
He  then  returned  to  Paris  and  entered  the 
French  army.  During  the  French  Revolu- 
tion he  was  obliged  to  flee  the  country. 
Nothing  further  is  known  of  him.  He  is 
supposed  to  have  died  about  1800  in  ob- 
scurity in  the  city  of  London. 

LIST  OF  DELEGATES  AT  YORK. 

Continental  Congress  was  first  brought 
together  in  September,  1774,  at  Carpenter's 
Hall,  Philadelphia.  From  the  time  of  its 
organization  until  the  Constitution  of  the 
United  States  went  into  efi^ect.  in  1789,  it 
was  composed  of  one  body,  which  elected 
its  presiding  officer.  John  Hancock  was 
president  of  Congress  from  May,  1775, 
until  October  31,  1777,  when  lie  resigned. 
He  was  succeeded  by  Henry  Laurens,  of 
South  Carolina,  who  presided  o\er  Con- 
gress eight  of  the  nine  months  it  sat  in 
York.  The  delegates  were  chosen  annually 
by  the  state  legislatures. 

Few  of  the  American  patriots  who 
organized  this  legislative  body  in  1774,  be- 
lieved that  its  deliberations  would  result  in 
creating  a  new  nation  on  the  western  conti- 
nent.    It  first  met  to  adjust  the  grievances 


against  the  mother  country  and  issued  a 
Declaration  of  Rights  in  1774.  This  Con- 
gress petitioned  the  King  and  Parliament, 
in  1775,  and  finally  passed  the  Declaration 
of  Independence,  in  177(). 

When  Congress  convened  at  York,  Sep- 
temljer  30,  1777,  in  the  minds  of  some  of  its 
members  and  many  people  of  the  United 
States,  there  was  little  hope  that  the  army 
under  Washington  would  eventually  de- 
feat the  British  forces  in  America.  At  that 
time,  everything  was  dark  and  foreboding 
and  the  success  of  the  War  for  Indepen- 
dence seemed  doubtful.  Tlie  patriots  who 
came  here,  however,  continued  to  legislate 
for  the  army  and  the  establishment  of  the 
freedom  of  the  United  States.  While  Con- 
gress held  its  sessions  in  York,  it  passed  the 
Articles  of  Confederation,  which,  when 
adopted,  made  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence a  reality.  It  received  the  news  of 
the  surrender  of  Burgoyne's  army  at  Sara- 
toga; made  Baron  Steuben  a  major-general 
and  sent  him  to  the  headquarters  of  the 
army  to  drill  the  American  soldiers  in  the 
military  tactics  used  by  Frederick  the  Great 
of  Prussia.  It  received  the  news  from  the 
American  commissioners  at  Paris  that  the 
French  nation  had  entered  into  a  treaty  of 
Alliance  with  the  United  States,  and  would 
send  money,  a  fleet  and  an  army  to  aid  in 
tlie  struggle  for  American  independence. 

It  was  during  the  month  of  June,  1778, 
that  Congress  at  York,  and  Washington  at 
Valley  Forge  planned  the  campaign  result- 
ing in  the  victory  over  the  enemy  at  Mon- 
mouth, which  transferred  the  seat  of  the 
war  to  the  south. 

Continental  Congress  sat  for  a  brief 
period  at  Princeton,  one  day  at  Lancaster, 
about  two  months  at  Baltimore,  and  a  short 
time  at  Annapolis,  but  transacted  no  busi- 
ness at  these  places  of  importance  to  the 
nation.  While  in  session  at  York,  some  of 
the  greatest  event  in  the  whole  history  of 
the  Revolution  occurred.  This  historic  im- 
portance of  York  as  the  temporary  seat  of 
the  national  government  has  never  been 
fully  set  forth  by  historians.  In  the  preced- 
ing pages  an  eft'ort  has  been  made  to  give 
in  detail  the  transactions  of  Congress  and 
the  current  events  during  the  darkest  period 
of  the  Revolution,  which  ended  in  the  dawn 
of  independence.      When  Congress  assem- 


A  copy  from  a  drawing  formerly  in  the  Emmett  collection  in  New  York 
and  now  in  the  possession  of  the  Historical  Society  of  York  County.  It  is 
supposed  to  be  the  only  authentic  portrait  of  James  Smith  in  existence. 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS  AT  YORK 


339 


bled  at  York,  it  was  composed  of  no  more 
than  thirty  members.  At  stated  limes, 
newly-elected  delegates  arrived,  taking  the 
places  of  those  who  had  returned  to  their 
homes.  There  were  never  more  than  forty 
members  present  at  one  time.  In  all  there 
were  sixty-four  delegates  from  the  thirteen 
original  states  who  occuijied  seats  in  Con- 
gress from  the  time  it  came  to  York  until  it 
returned  to  Philadelphia.  Twenty-six  of 
these  had.  the  pre\ious  year,  signed  the 
Declaration  of  Independence. 

The  following  is  the  list  of  delegates  at 
York : 

New  Hampshire — Nathaniel  Folsom, 
George  Frost,  John  W'entworth,  Dr.  Josiah 
Bartlett. 

Massachusetts — Samuel  .\dams.  El- 
bridge  Gerr}-,  James  Lovell,  John  Adams, 
Francis  Dana,  John  Hancock,  Dr.  Samuel 
Holten. 

Connecticut — William  Williams,  Elipha- 
let  Dyer,  Richard  Law,  Titus  Hosmer. 
Roger  Sherman,  Samuel  Huntingdon,  Dr. 
Oliver  Wolcott. 

Rhode  Island — Henry  Marchant,  Wil- 
liam Ellery,  John  Collins. 

New  York — James  Duane,  William  Duer, 
Francis  Lewis,  Gou\erneur  Morris,  Philip 
Livingston. 

New  Jersey — John  Witherspoon,  Dr. 
Jonathan  Elmer,  Abraham  Clark,  Dr.  Na- 
thaniel Scudder. 

Pennsylvania — Robert  Morris,  Daniel 
Roberdeau,  James  Smith,  Jonathan  Bayard 
Smith,  William  Clingan,  Joseph  Reed. 

Delaware — Thomas  McKean. 

Maryland — Charles  Carroll,  Samuel 
Chase,  Benjamin  Rumsey,  George  Plater. 
William  Smith,  James  Forbes,  John  Henrv. 

J'-- 

Virginia — Francis  Lightfoot  Lee,  Rich- 
ard Henry  Lee,  John  Harvie,  Benjamin 
Harrison,  Dr.  Joseph  Junes,  Thomas  Ad- 
ams, John  Bannister. 

North  Carolina — John  Penn,  Cornelius 
Harnett,  Dr.  Thomas  Burke. 

South  Carolina — Henry  Laurens,  Thomas 
Heyward,  Jr.,  Arthur  Middleton,  John 
Matthews,  Richard  Hutson,  William  Henrv 
Drayton. 

Georgia — Edward  Langvvorthy,  George 
Walton,  Dr.  Nathan  Brownson,  Joseph 
Wood. 


JAMES  SMITH,  signer  of  the  Declara- 
tion of  Independence,  was  born  in  the  north 
of  Ireland.  His  father,  John  Smith,  was  a 
well-to-do  farmer,  but,  induced  by  his 
brothers,  who  had  previously  emigrated  to 
this  country  and  settled  in  Chester  County, 
he  came  to  Pennsylvania  in  1720,  and  soon 
afterward  settled  on  the  west  side  of  the 
Susquehanna  in  what  is  now  York  County. 
John  Smith  died  in  the  neighborhood  of 
York  in  1761.  His  eldest  son,  George, 
studied  law  at  Lancaster,  but  shortly  after 
his  admission  to  the  bar  (1740)  was 
drowned  in  the  Susquehanna  while  bath- 
ing. The  third  son,  Arthur,  was  a  farmer, 
and  removed  to  western  Pennsylvania  prior 
to  the  Revolution.  James,  the  second  son, 
received  a  liberal  education,  having  been 
placed  under  the  charge  of  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Alison,  provost  of  the  College  of  Philadel- 
phia. After  completing  his  studies  in 
Philadelphia,  he  began  to  read  law  at  Lan- 
caster, where  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
in  1745.  He  subsequently  went  to  the 
Cumberland  Valley,  where  he  practiced 
both  law  and  surveying,  remaining  four  or 
five  years,  and  then  settled  at  York.  When 
the  Revolution  began,  Smith  became  one 
of  the  first  advocates  of  independence.  He 
was  chosen  a  member  of  the  Provincial 
Deputies,  July  15,  1774,  and  was  the  author 
of  the  "  draught  of  instructions  "  to  the  Pro- 
vincial Assembly.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  Provincial  Convention  of  January  23, 
1775;  of  the  Provincial  Conference  of  June 
18,  1776:  and  of  the  Convention  of  the  loth 
of  July  following.  In  1775  he  was  commis- 
sioned colonel  of  the  First  Battalion  of  As- 
sociators  of  York  County,  and  throughout 
the  Revolutionary  struggle  was  largely  in- 
strumental in  organizing  troops  for  the 
patriot  army.  In  1776  he  was  elected  a 
delegate  to  the  Continental  Congress,  and 
his  name  is  affixed  to  the  Declaration  of 
Independence.  He  was  re-elected  the  fol- 
lowing year  and  took  his  seat  while  Con- 
gress was  in  session  in  York.  He  was 
elected  a  member  of  the  Assembly  in  1779, 
and  November  20,  1780,  commissioned 
judge  of  the  High  Court  of  .Appeals. 

The  Supreme  Executive  Council  ap- 
pointed Colonel  Smith  a  brigadier-general 
of  the  Pennsylvania  militia,  Alay  23,  1782, 
vice  General  Potter  promoted.     He  was  ap- 


340 


HISTORY  OF  YORK  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


pointed  one  of  the  counsellors  on  the  part 
of  Pennsylvania  in  the  controversy  be- 
tween that  State  and  Connecticut,  Febru- 
ary 10,  1784.  In  the  following  year  the  As- 
sembly elected  him  to  Congress,  in  the 
place  of  Matthew  Clarkson,  resigned,  but 
his  advanced  age  obliged  him  to  decline  a 
re-election.  Smith  relinquished  the  practice 
of  law  in  1801,  and  from  that  period  until 
his  death  lived  in  quiet  retirement.  He 
died  at  York  on  the  11th  day  of  July,  1806. 
With  an  uncommonly  retentive  memory, 
with  a  vein  of  good  humor  and  a  fund  of 
anecdotes,  his  excellent  conversational 
powers  drew  around  him  many  who  en- 
joyed his  sharp  wit  and  lively  manners,  and 
made  his  old  age  bright  and  cheerful. 
James  Smith  married,  in  1752,  Eleanor, 
daughter  of  John  Armor,  of  New  Castle, 
Delaware.  She  and  two  children  survived 
him  several  years. 

During  the  revolution,  James  Smith 
owned  and  occupied  a  dwelling  house  on 
the  west  side  of  South  George  Street  near 
King.  When  Congress  was  in  session  at 
York,  his  home  was  a  place  of  meeting  of 
the  distinguished  statesmen  who  were  then 
serving  as  delegates  and  on  important  com- 
mittees. His  law  office,  a  two-story  build- 
ing which  stood  on  the  corner  of  South 
George  Street  and  Mason  Alley,  a  short 
distance  north  of  his  residence,  was  used  as 


a  meeting  place  of  the  Board  of  War,  when 
it  was  presided  over  by  John  Adams,  of 
Massachusetts.  In  1805,  his  law  office  con- 
taining his  library,  many  valuable  docu- 
ments and  letters  which  he  received  from 
distinguished  men,  was  destroyed  by  fire. 

James  and  Eleanor  Smith  had  five  chil- 
dren :  Margaret,  the  eldest,  was  born  Sep- 
tember 14,  1753,  married  James  Johnson, 
whose  grandson.  Dr.  William  Johnson,  for 
many  years  was  a  practicing  physician  at 
York.  Mrs.  Johnson  died  at  York,  January 
18,  1838.  Mary,  the  second  daughter,  mar- 
ried James  Kelly,  a  memljer  of  the  York 
County  Bar,  and  died  at  York,  September  4, 
1793.  George,  one  of  the  sons,  was  born 
April  24,  1769,  died  unmarried  at  the  age 
of  32,  when  his  estate  was  inherited  by  his 
l)rother.  Arthur  died  before  he  grew  to 
manhood.  James,  the  other  son,  owned 
considerable  property  and  died  without 
descendants,  leaving  his  property  to  his 
cousins.  The  remains  of  James  Smith,  to- 
gether with  his  wife,  who  died  July  13,  1818, 
and  some  of  his  children,  were  buried  in  the 
Presbyterian  churchyard,  on  East  Market 
Street,  York. 

The  public  documents  which  lie  prepared 
and  the  speeches  he  delivered  during  and 
after  the  Revolution  show  that  he  was  a 
man  of  strong  intellect,  literary  training, 
and  an  able  lawyer. 


LIBRARY  OF  CONGRESS 

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